The legal profession should embrace Tesco Law and the opportunity to market and deliver its services in places such as supermarkets, a senior lawyer has said.
Tim Roberts, a partner at specialist professional indemnity law firm Plexus, said although solicitors were well respected, they were also perceived as customer unfriendly, stuffy and complex.
"Legal firms need to market their services and benefits more effectively," said Mr Roberts.
"For generations we haven't had to do this because solicitors and lawyers have been regarded as embodying those traditional qualities of dependability and trustworthiness.
"But times are changing and we have to change with them."
Mr Roberts's views are similar to those recently expressed by Lord Falconer, who was appointed Secretary of State for Constitutional Affairs and Lord Chancellor in June 2003.
Mr Roberts said: "The needs of our clients and when and how they purchase our services are changing.
"Either we recognise this and embrace change or, as so often has been the case, we dismiss Lord Falconer, bury our heads in the sand and then wonder why we have a problem with our image."
