ONE of the country's leading legal finance experts is setting up his own firm of troubleshooters in Gwent.

Stuart Brothers is the former managing director of the London Life group of companies, and previously director of the banking and finance group of KLegal, the associated law firm of KPMG.

He has launched a disputes service to deal with consumer cases across the range of problem areas, such as product mis-selling, 'inappropriate' financial advice and excessive product charges.

Mr Brothers has set up his own legal firm, Stuart Brothers Solicitors (SB), which is based in Newport at Enterprise Way, with meeting facilities in London.

He said a central part of the new business was the "express evaluation" e-mail service - which provided an initial consultation free of charge.

From information provided by the investor, SB will undertake a detailed review, looking at a wide range of issues, to establish whether the product sold was suitable for the investors' needs; whether an adequate assessment was made of their personal circumstances; if their attitude to investment risk was understood; whether the adviser's terms of business were explained to them; and if all regulatory rules were complied with. From this detailed process, SB establishes whether the investor has a claim, and if so, how best to get redress - if possible without resorting to litigation.

"Our aim is to help the investor resolve his or her grievance as quickly, satisfactorily and cost-effectively as possible - not to encourage litigation," said Mr Brothers. "We make it clear that all investors should start by talking to the Ombudsman, because the service is free and the decision is not binding on the investor.

"However, many people need help preparing their case, and a lot of cases have special circumstances. We try to help achieve a solution as quickly and as equitably as possible. "It's only once every door or avenue has been closed that we might recommend court proceedings. Even then, where possible, we seek to take advantage of the small claims or fast-track procedures."

Mr Brothers said newspapers were full of stories of how people had been let down by advisers or insurers.

"Often it is only the intervention of the media which results in them getting fair treatment, but these cases may only represent the tip of the iceberg. Some investors need an expert to champion their cause," he said.

"If we can't help or feel that their claim is not justified, we tell them. We're dealing with people who are already feeling aggrieved. Our aim is to ensure that all genuine claims get the right result as cost-effectively as possible."