The arrangement will enable The Openwork Partnership to offer a range of legal support services including wills, probate, family law and employment law to advisers and their clients.

Demand for legal services has grown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic as more clients realise the need for estate planning as well as help with employment and family issues, according to the firm.

Research from Co-op Legal Services shows that 79% of advisers believe better estate planning services would help them support their clients better and that 50% of couples have not made a will.

Paul Shearman, proposition director of mortgages and protection at The Openwork Partnership, said: “We wanted to partner with a firm able to deliver a broad range of legal services and the Co-op Legal Service’s award winning, digitally enabled proposition is exceptionally strong.

“We are sure it will be well received by advisers and their clients at a time when the recognition of the importance of many of the services available has increased significantly as a result of the pandemic.”

Jonathan Appleby, head of corporate partners at Co-op Legal Services, added: “We are delighted to be working with The Openwork Partnership who provide important financial advice to their client base.

“Legal services can play an important part in underpinning someone’s financial wellbeing and we look forward to providing support to The Openwork Partnership’s advisers and their clients.”