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Given that solicitors have to provide their hourly rates and regular fee estimates (or a fixed fee); have an Ombudsman which will accept complaints based on costs; and are subject to the Solicitors Act where costs have not been properly justified, I would suggest that clients (sorry, 'consumers') have significant information already at their disposal with which to make an informed decision. That they may choose not to do so is hardly the fault of the profession.

It is somewhat troubling that two of these are not mentioned at all, and the third is relegated to a footnote with no explanation or weight given to it.