In Australia, Canada and New Zealand, a law broker or legal brokerage[1] 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.[2] [3] The law broking firm of Terry Bramham also existed in Melbourne in 1996.[4]
The development of the private-sector legal referral industry in Australia, New Zealand and United Kingdom has occurred.
In most circumstances, a law broker does not charge a fee to a client but rather obtains a referral fee from the lawyer.
In North America, an equivalent service is provided by lawyer referral programs, which are usually operated by bar associations.[5] Claims management companies are the equivalent in England and Wales.