24 February 2012 / Dr Jon Robins

Issue: 7502 / Categories: Opinion , Legal services , Marketing

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Top of the class?

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Jon Robins believes it’s time to embrace comparison websites

One feature of the post-Legal Services Act 2007 landscape is the proliferation of comparethemarket.com-style websites designed to help consumers navigate through the newly-liberalised legal services marketplace.

Earlier this month the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) published a largely positive report assessing some 16 sites (including www.lawcomparison.co.uk, www.lawyerlocator.co.uk, www.legalcompare.com, www.legallybetter.com, and www.legallyconfused.com). The LSCP research categorised specialist websites into four types: directories; feedback; referral; and price comparison sites.

“Comparison websites are a welcome new feature in legal services as they could make it easier for consumers to choose lawyers and boost competition,” commented its chair Elisabeth Davies. This came in marked contrast to a sniffy report from the Law Society towards the end of last year which was, no doubt, informed by the controversy over solicitorsfromhell.co.uk.

Reluctant acceptance?

Chancery Lane begrudgingly conceded there was “benefit in probing” (presumably with a very long stick) the comparison website model before accepting it as “a valid mechanism”. It concluded

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Top of the class?

© Copyright LexisNexis 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Jon Robins believes it’s time to embrace comparison websites

One feature of the post-Legal Services Act 2007 landscape is the proliferation of comparethemarket.com-style websites designed to help consumers navigate through the newly-liberalised legal services marketplace.

Earlier this month the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) published a largely positive report assessing some 16 sites (including www.lawcomparison.co.uk, www.lawyerlocator.co.uk, www.legalcompare.com, www.legallybetter.com, and www.legallyconfused.com). The LSCP research categorised specialist websites into four types: directories; feedback; referral; and price comparison sites.

“Comparison websites are a welcome new feature in legal services as they could make it easier for consumers to choose lawyers and boost competition,” commented its chair Elisabeth Davies. This came in marked contrast to a sniffy report from the Law Society towards the end of last year which was, no doubt, informed by the controversy over solicitorsfromhell.co.uk.

Reluctant acceptance?

Chancery Lane begrudgingly conceded there was “benefit in probing” (presumably with a very long stick) the comparison website model before accepting it as “a valid mechanism”. It concluded

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content

If you are already a subscriber sign in

...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Taylor Rose—Jessica Draganescu & Emily Hewlett

Taylor Rose—Jessica Draganescu & Emily Hewlett

Firm strengthens growth strategy and group litigation capability with senior hires

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

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Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

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