Finding the right match

Websites with law firm ratings, such as lawyerlocator.co.uk, are the most popular way to find a solicitor for one in five adults, according to a YouGov poll.

The survey of more than 2,000 adults, showed 20% would look online to sites with independent reviews and ratings to find a solicitor, 13% said they had used the same solicitor for years and would not move.

The survey follows previous research in 2005 and 2008, and demonstrates how clients are flocking to the internet for information on solicitors. In 2005, just 11% used the internet to find a solicitor, and this figure rose to 19% in 2008.

Charles Barber, head of marketing for online communities at LexisNexis which relaunched LawyerLocator in 2010, says that a tailored online search service takes the pain out of tracking down legal help. “Searching online makes it easier to compare law firms and find out more about them before making an informed decision about what firm suits you best,” he adds.