Legal & General has launched a pilot scheme which provides two hours of free legal support to terminal and critical illness claimants.

The scheme will last for three months and is expected to help 30 claimants in the north-east will be run in conjunction with charity LegaCare (UK) Ltd.

Legal & General has also announced the latest development in its funding partnership with LegaCare (UK) Ltd. Jennifer Turnbull has become the first solicitor to join the charity thanks to funding support from Legal & General.

Turnbull has joined the north-east office and has already begun helping clients on a range of issues including guardianship of children, employment, housing, mortgage and debt problems as well as powers of attorney, advance care planning and will writing. So far Legal & General has committed £60,000 to the charity and has pledged to continue this support on an on-going basis.

Duncan Finch, executive managing director insurance, Legal & General, said: “We are always seeking to find new and innovative ways to help our customers and this pilot scheme is the latest attempt. Our hope is that via LegaCare (UK) Ltd we will be able to provide further peace of mind for our clients when they need it most.

“Our charity partnerships with LegaCare (UK) Ltd and Macmillan Cancer Support help us to better understand the challenges our customers face when they are diagnosed with a serious illness and how we can improve our support for them. We fully intend to continue to help LegaCare (UK) Ltd expand its support network in the north east and beyond.”

Margaret Kirby, solicitor, founder and director of LegaCare (UK) Ltd, added: “I am delighted to welcome Jennifer to the team and it is fantastic that we will now be able to increase the amount of support we offer our clients. The service we provide makes such a difference to those people who would not otherwise be able to access legal help at such a critical time.

“With the financial help from Legal & General we can continue to develop and expand.”