A NEW legal network has been launched across the West Midlands putting small firms in Worcestershire in a stronger position than ever before.

Hub.Legal, which has already been backed by 130 firms, gives lawyers access to every specialism they may need, without having to retain those skills in-house or send clients elsewhere.

It is operated by full-service regional legal practice, FBC Manby Bowdler.

Members of Hub.Legal can call on the specialisms of the FBC Manby Bowdler team as if they were colleagues just along the corridor, safe in the knowledge that membership brings a non-poach agreement along with a share of the fee or a rebate to their client directly.

The collaborative approach also provides benefits in group purchasing power, including office supplies and access to training for continuous professional development.

James Knight, partner at FBC Manby Bowdler, heads Hub.Legal.

He said: "What we are offering is entirely free to all law firms in our region because it has tremendous benefits for everyone involved.

"The aim is for us, as a full-service firm with a plethora of professional accreditations, to be the 'department next door' for our smaller colleagues.

"It's a great example of very positive collaboration with members who really want to make a positive difference to their practices and quality of service and it's happened because our member firms asked for it."

The network is also set to expand with the introduction of hands-on advisory services to assist with day-to-day SRA compliance, Lexcel, solicitors' accounts, practice management support and business development.

The cost of these services to members will be subsidised with grants to qualifying firms from the government's Growth Accelerator Scheme, providing up to 60 per cent grant assistance on some projects.

For more information visit fbcmb.co.uk/hub-legal.