Despite an increase in divorce and wills work, profits fell for the Co-op’s legal services business, caused apparently by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to the Law Gazette, half-year results published by the retailer, covering the six months to 24 July, showed that underlying profits for Co-op Legal Services were down from £3m to £2m, with turnover unchanged at £19m.
Work from will writing services was up by 69% and divorce-related enquiries rose by 300%.
The Law Gazette reported that Co-op said its legal business ‘performed well despite the impacts of lockdown’ and had responded encouragingly to the challenges posed in the first half of the year.
The Co-op’s half-year report stated: ‘Our legal services business experienced an early increase in will writing work at the start of the pandemic, and then above average inquiries about divorce as the strains on family relationships created by lockdown began to show themselves.’
