The Co-operative's legal services arm has made a trio of hires to launch a family law operation as it gears up to convert to an Alternative Business Structure (ABS).

The Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) has recruited the trio from London boutique TV Edwards to head up the launch, which has been made possible by the reforms ushered in by the Legal Services Act (LSA) this month.

TV Edwards managing partner Jenny Beck and partner Christina Blacklaws are set to join CLS alongside business development and strategy head Chris May. The trio will be responsible for developing the family law service for CLS, should it be granted a licence by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA).

CLS managing director Eddie Ryan commented: "We are working extremely hard with the SRA in preparation for the introduction of ABSs and we look forward to being able to provide a full range of legal services to our members and customers."

CLS – a wholly owned subsidiary of The Co-operative Group – was established in 2006 and now employs over 400 staff. It already offers legal advice on personal injury claims, will writing, probate and estate administration, as well as conveyancing and employment law, to its members via telephone.

Co-operative Group deputy chief executive Martyn Wates added: "The Legal Services Act will change the way in which legal services are delivered in England and Wales. We believe that the presence of The Co-operative's trusted brand and values in the marketplace, together with a combination of first class products and services, will provide customers with greater accessibility to legal advice and better value for money."

Earlier this year The Co-operative carried out a two-week trial of its plan to offer legal advice through its network of bank branches, in a joint arrangement between CLS and its sister organisation Co-operative Financial Services.

The news comes after Premier Property Lawyers became the first ABS in the UK earlier this month. The Leicester-based firm, a wholly owned subsidiary of conveyancing services provider myhomemove, was awarded its licence by the Council for Licensed Conveyancers – the only regulator approved to license ABSs to date.