Columbus Legal has unveiled a new legal expenses policy designed for policyholders who are on the verge of facing losses on legal support after new reforms.

Commenting on the launch, Columbus Legal director Alan Reid was quoted by the Post Online as saying, "We feel there is a gap in the market for this niche product and as the public realise that free Legal Aid is more or less ending, we feel it will grow in popularity.

"This change, plus the employment law charges brought in last year, will hit a lot of people."

Designed to cover the cost of an employment complaint, the new legal expenses policy is available at £250 now, or a tribunal hearing, nearly £1000.

Apart from this, the policy offers payments for criminal lawyers in legal cases such as speeding bans to accusations of white collar crime, the news agency reported.