Earlier this spring the Law Society published an e-strategy policy document drawing attention to the need for solicitors' practices to invest in modern IT systems or else risk finding themselves on the wrong side of the 'digital divide' and unable to compete (see [2005] Gazette, 10 March, 10). But, what about the other side of the coin: how is the UK generally coping in the Internet stakes - are we becoming the switched-on on-line society that many people were predicting we would become?

Research published last month by the Oxford Internet Institute, part of Oxford University, suggests that as far as the UK is concerned, the great Internet boom has run out of steam and that not only are we falling behind other countries but the number of 'drop-outs' (people who had Internet connections in the past but have now abandoned them) has actually increased.


If we look at the top-line figures, the percentage of people using the Internet in the UK has now hit the 60% mark. This sounds impressive until you consider that when the institute conducted a similar survey in 2003, the figure at that time had already reached 59% - prompting the institute to conclude that Internet usage has 'plateaued'. By contrast, Internet usage in the US is now in the region of 75% and near 70% in Sweden - although the UK does still have a higher usage rate than the rest of the EU.


Possibly the most interesting data relates to the 'refuseniks' who have either never used the Internet (32% in 2005) or have dropped-out (8% - up from 6% in 2003). Reasons for non-use include: no computer, don't know how/too difficult to use, worried about privacy, too expensive, nothing of interest/not useful and 'not for people of my age'. Among the drop-outs the reasons cited include: bad experiences (particularly with viruses, spam and porn), too expensive, moved house (and in the process lost their Internet connection) and - the most frequently mentioned reason - 'not interested'.


The one crumb of consolation for those solicitors who still think a firewall is something terraced houses have in their lofts to stop flames spreading, who have never been able to get their 'plug and play' Internet services to play and who after finally getting on-line have wondered why they bothered, is that you are clearly not alone.


Charles Christian is an independent adviser to the Law Society's Software Solutions guide