Law firm Clarkslegal, which was chosen by the RMIF to provide its legal services in 2004, is launching its own motor trade club that it claims will be in “direct competition” with the RMIF. The firm claimed its offering would be more comprehensive and it has recruited former RMIF director of legal services Graham Coleshill as motor business consultant. Clarkslegal claims to have already signed up more than 100 dealer groups and has recruited regional lawyers to deliver services to dealers. Monica Atwal, a partner at Clarks, told Motor Trader the firm would offer a viable alternative to the RMIF. “There is still a strong market out there of dealers looking for a transparent representative voice,” she said. “The RMIF is a trade federation offering support to its members and we are offering a service that can settle so much more than business, employee and vehicle issues, be it for dealerships, garages or repair centres.” Atwal claimed the new service extended beyond a legal one and would see Clarks become a campaigning force, fighting for dealers' rights in Westminster and Brussels. Other services include regional lawyers, training seminars and fixed costs for advice on commercial disputes, mergers, acquisitions and tribunal cases. Atwal claimed these would not incur an extra cost to the annual membership fee, which she said would start from £700. “Members that don't make full use of the annual fee can carry it over to the next year without forking out again,” she said. Sue Robinson, National Franchised Dealers Association director hit back, saying Clarks would be hard pressed to deliver the same level of service. “We are flattered by the fact that Clarks believes it can make a commercial success out of what we have successfully offered our members free of charge for many years,” she said. Industry law firms also expressed doubts. Andrew Moody, barrister and solicitor for Retail Motor Law, and former member of the RMIF legal department, said: “The RMIF disposed of Clarkslegal and chose to use Motor Industry Legal Services. “There are a number of complex issues within the industry, Clarkslegal does not appear to be in a position to provide advice on the main areas of law.” Mils managing director Andrew Cox, whose firm formed a new legal alliance with the RMIF last year, questioned claims that Clarks would be able to compete with the RMIF. “I believe they have simply revamped what they previously offered with the RMIF and that didn't work. We already offer all the services they are putting forward so I don't see them being able to add better value,” he said.