NEWS ARCHIVE
December 2008
More People Use the Internet to Find a Solicitor than Yellow Pages or other Local Directories
Results from an independent survey in 2008 show that, after word of mouth, the Internet is now the most important source for those looking for a law firm or local solicitor:
"In 2005, only 11% searched the Internet for sources of legal advice but by 2008 this had risen to 19%. In contrast, 20% of adults used Yellow Pages or another local directory to find a law firm or local solicitors in 2005 but, by 2008, this had fallen to just 9%." - IRN Research Survey, June 2008
1,039 adults were interviewed in an independent research survey in June 2008 and asked:
"If you had to choose a law firm or legal representative for a relatively straightforward matter such as a house purchase or sale, or making a will, which of the following would you use to find a law firm or solicitor?
Methods of Choosing a Law Firm/Solicitor (% of respondents), June 2008
| Method | Total | Male | Female |
|---|
| Recommendations from friend, relative, work colleague | 49.0 | 48.0 | 50.0 |
| I have a law firm that I have used for many years | 30.0 | 30.0 | 30.0 |
| Search the Internet | 19.0 | 21.0 | 17.0 |
| Advice from another professional, e.g. bank, estate agent, accountant | 19.0 | 22.0 | 17.0 |
| Citizen's Advice Bureau, Which?, other consumer organisation | 19.0 | 18.0 | 20.0 |
| Yellow Pages or other local directory | 9.0 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
| None of the above | 5.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 |