Law broker
{{Short description|Professional assisting individual who are searching for a lawyer}}
In Australia, Canada and New Zealand, a law broker or legal brokerageGilg. [https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/first-legal-brokerage-to-manage-cases-for-wealthy-clients "First legal brokerage to manage cases for wealthy clients"]. Solicitors Journal. 7 February 2013. is a professional that assists individuals who are searching for a lawyer. A law broker will analyze an individual's case or legal issue and provide a customized referral to an appropriate lawyer. Some common factors that a law broker will consider are a lawyer's experience level, success rate, reputation, and quality of service. A law broker will often review legal publications, court decisions, and rely upon a network of legal contacts to provide an objective, customized referral to a client.
An Australian solicitor Dr. Yuri Rapoport of Kohen Rapoport Group started the world's first law broking firm "Prime Law Brokers" in 1996.[https://spearswms.com/wealth/first-legal-brokerage-in-london-launched-by-oracle/ "First legal brokerage in London launched by Oracle"]. Spear's. 5 February 2013.{{Cite journal |date=1997 |title=Legal Profession |url=https://heinonline.org/HOL/Page?handle=hein.journals/commwlb23&id=1046&div=&collection= |journal=Commonwealth Law Bulletin |volume=23 |page=1029 |issn=0305-0718 |eissn=1750-5976 |via=HeinOnline}} The law broking firm of Terry Bramham also existed in Melbourne in 1996.Cathy Laird, "Law Brokers - A New Approach" (1996) [https://books.google.com/books?id=sM05AQAAIAAJ 70] Law Institute Journal 20 (No 7)
The development of the private-sector legal referral industry in Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom has occurred.
Fees
In most circumstances, a law broker does not charge a fee to a client but rather obtains a referral fee from the lawyer.
In other countries
In North America, an equivalent service is provided by lawyer referral programs, which are usually operated by bar associations.{{Cite web |title=New York State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service |url=https://nysba.org/new-york-state-bar-association-lawyer-referral-service/ |access-date=2024-07-21 |website=New York State Bar Association |language=en-US}} Claims management companies are the equivalent in England and Wales.