Two-thirds of lawyers now use a BlackBerry device for work, and three-quarters check their messages either constantly, or at least every hour, research has suggested.

A survey of 100 solicitors from firms of all sizes by research company Jures, on behalf of legal publisher LexisNexis, also found that 11% of respondents already have an Apple iPad, despite the devices having only been launched in May.

A further 10% said they had an eBook reader such as Kindle, which they used for legal work.

More than three-quarters of the lawyers questioned sad they preferred online or digital resources to ‘traditional, paper-based libraries’.

Jures director Jon Robins said: ‘Our research indicates that lawyers see themselves as quick off the mark when it comes to embracing the latest IT. They appreciate the benefits technological changes can have on their working lives.

‘Plus, lawyers are also increasingly aware that their clients expect them to be accessible, whether they like that or not. They realise how new technologies can help them achieve this objective.’