Bradford's legal firms may soon be vying for trade with high street shops and banks.

The move last month by the Law Society Council to approve in principle the idea of employed solicitors providing legal advice direct to the public could see banks and supermarkets moving in on the market.

Legislation will be required to allow this change in service provision, but the way could be cleared for other firms to begin providing services like conveyancing and will drafting in the future.

Simon Palfreman, spokesman for Bradford's Law Society, said: "The Law Society have said that this is modernisation and that they have a duty to represent all solicitors, not just those in private practice.

"However the decision is dependent upon the Law Society maintaining the same consumer protection role as it does over solicitors firms.

"This includes professional conduct, indemnity insurance and the powers exercised by the Office for Supervision of Solicitors.

"Clearly it will take time for these provisions to be implemented and nobody knows what the impact of these changes will be.

"High street law firms are concerned about the potential effect upon business but feel that there will always be a market for the quality service they provide."