Law firms are increasingly finding that consumers want their advice free of charge.
A survey by YouGov found that price is now seen as more important to consumers than reputation or even experience.
The poll of more than 2000 adults found that 75 per cent cited price as a factor in choosing a lawyer.
When the same survey was conducted two years ago price was only a major issue for six per cent.
Reputation and experience was a factor for 74 per cent of respondents. More than half (57 per cent) now expect free advice from their lawyers.
The survey also showed that the number of clients receiving free legal consultation was rising, with 64 per cent of respondents reporting that they received free advice in the last three years, up six per cent from the last survey.
“Costs of services and fee charges now play a much bigger role for most adults using legal services,” James McCoy, research director at YouGov Reports, said.
“There has also been an increase in the proportion of consumers who now receive legal advice – whether expected or not – suggesting that legal representatives are becoming more open to the idea of providing free consultation.”
Overall 62 per cent had used a law firm or solicitor at some point in their lifetime, unchanged since 2013.
The main areas of consultation over the last three years were will and probate services (34 per cent), residential conveyancing (24 per cent) and personal injury and medical negligence matters (11 per cent).
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