More than two-thirds of consumers have ‘little or no knowledge’ of what lawyers do, research published last week has revealed.

A YouGov survey of 2,033 individuals commissioned by the Legal Services Board found that 68% were largely ignorant of what lawyers did. And less than half (47%) said they were ‘fairly confident’ they could judge the quality of help they received.

Cost was considered to be a major driver in choosing a solicitor for more than half of respondents, and yet 77% of those who had instructed a solicitor had not shopped around to compare prices.

The research, which was commissioned to mark the start of the LSB’s regulatory regime on 1 January, found a high degree of satisfaction with solicitors among the public.

More than three-quarters of those who had used a solicitor were either ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the service they had received, and 67% said they were fairly or very likely to recommend their solicitor to friends or family. Only 13% of respondents said they would buy legal services from supermarkets.

LSB chairman David Edmonds (pictured) said the research showed that consumers do not always have the information or skills to choose a lawyer based on their own assessment of quality or cost.

Edmonds continued: ‘The reforms to be brought about by the new regulatory framework have the potential to change the relationship between lawyers and the public. Our goal is to enhance the interests of ­consumers through effective competition and more innovative ways of delivering legal services.’

Law Society president Robert Heslett said: ‘We welcome the finding that three-quarters of consumers were satisfied with the legal services they received. Considering that the public often consult solicitors at a time of great strain in their lives - such as when moving house or getting divorced - that is a tribute to the excellence of the service most solicitors provide.’