“Satisfaction levels do not tell the whole story” – consumer panel defends survey findings


Shopping around: helps make market competitive, says panel

The findings from the Legal Services Consumer Panel’s latest tracker survey that people are generally satisfied with their lawyers does not detract from the concerns over their lack of shopping around before choosing one, the panel has said.

As reported yesterday, the panel said the legal services market was “at a standstill”, with consumers still relying “too heavily on reputation” and reluctant to shop around.

There was criticism on social media of the panel’s findings, with solicitors arguing that the high levels of satisfaction – 80% of consumers were satisfied with the service they received, and 83% with the outcome – did not indicate a problem in the market.

A panel spokeswoman told Legal Futures: “The panel thinks it is crucially important that consumers are shopping around.

“Consumers have an important role to play in ensuring that this market is competitive, without their participation or engagement (through shopping around and comparing) competition wouldn’t flourish, as confirmed by the [report last year of the] Competition and Markets Authority.”

She continued: “Also, if we accept that there is unmet legal need, then we must also accept that those who are accessing the service are but a small part of those who need legal services. Those who access the service are satisfied, but what about those who can’t?

“There is still a considerable problem with those locked out for reasons other than affordability. There is still a lot of work to be done on price and quality information as we know – addressing these issues could facilitate shopping around and access.

“While the panel welcomes service satisfaction levels, we are also acutely aware that service level is just one part of the story – consumers struggle to assess the quality of advice, and this is equally, if not more so important.”

The spokeswoman added that buying on recommendation was not a concern in itself “if it is bolstered by other forms of shopping around”.

She explained: “If I ask my friend to recommend a lawyer and she recommends a fantastic solicitor who did her conveyancing, but I was looking for a family lawyer, then it may not be that helpful.”




Leave a Comment

By clicking Submit you consent to Legal Futures storing your personal data and confirm you have read our Privacy Policy and section 5 of our Terms & Conditions which deals with user-generated content. All comments will be moderated before posting.

Required fields are marked *
Email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Blog


Use the tools available to stop doing the work you shouldn’t be doing anyway

We are increasingly taken for granted in the world of Do It Yourself, in which we’re required to do some of the work we have ostensibly paid for, such as in banking, travel and technology


Quality indicators – peer recommendations over review websites

I often feel that I am banging the SRA’s drum for them when it comes to transparency but it’s because I genuinely believe in clarity when it comes to promoting quality professional services.


Embracing the future: Navigating AI in litigation

Whilst the UK courts have shown resistance to change over time, in the past decade they have embraced the use of some technologies that naturally improve efficiency. Now we’re in the age of AI.


Loading animation