More than half of consumers expect ‘good law firms’ to offer their services online, research has suggested.

A survey of 2,266 people carried out by YouGov and commissioned by Epoq Legal found that 56% of consumers said they expected good firms to offer services online.

Nearly half of those polled (47%) said they would be more likely to choose a law firm that offered online access to legal services, while 43% said they would change firms if an alternative firm offered a reduced fee in return for the consumer providing initial details about their matter online.

The research showed little differences in attitudes between age groups, with only the over-55s being less interested in online service delivery.

Slightly more men than women said they were more likely to choose a firm which offered online services; 50% of men compared to 45% of women.

Grahame Cohen, chief executive officer of Epoq Legal, said: ‘Our research has shown that more and more consumers are expecting legal services to be delivered online.

‘As the internet has become an ever increasingly popular way for both consumers and businesses to access and buy a range of goods and services, the legal profession is finding it too needs to address client demand for convenient and affordable services.’

In 2009 Epoq Legal launched DirectLaw to provide law firms with an online service capability.