The Co-operative Legal Services (CLS) has launched the largest recruitment drive in its history. CLS, which has applied to become an alternative business structure, is looking to appoint up to 150 new positions across the business as it continues its expansion in the consumer legal services market.

The majority of the positions will be at its Bristol operation while others will be based at its new family law unit in London.

Eddie Ryan, Managing Director at CLS said: “We have ambitious plans for our business and we want people with ambitions to match.

“The Legal Services Act will change the way in which legal services are delivered in England and Wales and we are going to be playing a leading role in the new era.

“We believe that the presence of The Co-operative’s trusted brand and values together with a combination of first class products and services will provide customers with greater accessibility to legal advice and better value for money.

Jenny Beck, head of Professional Practice in the Family law Unit, said: “The Co-operative Legal Services is part of the Co-operative Group with an excellent reputation as an employer which really invests in its employees, offers attractive terms and provides competitive salaries and an attractive pension provision.

“We will be offering the right people a chance to enhance their career with a fast growing, dynamic employer.”

CLS, which was set up in 2006 currently employs more than 400 highly trained staff, offers straightforward value-for-money legal services, providing an ethos of social responsibility and a level of protection that can  be provided by a diverse, multi-billion pound organisation.

CLS offers a range of legal services including: personal injury claims; will writing; probate and estate administration; conveyancing and employment law. In November it announced it is to enter the family law market later this year.