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It is interesting that the LSCP Tracker Report simply reports its findings without judgement, and that is fine. It is the Press Release accompanying it where we find the judgemental remarks. What qualifies the Panel to say that people using legal services rely too much upon reputation? People buy legal services rarely in their lifetimes, and when they do, the matter is important to them. What would be more natural than asking friends, colleagues and other trusted advisors before selecting a lawyer? What could be more important than reputation at a time of stress, difficulty or complexity?

LawNet's research on this dwarfs the LSCP's efforts as it involves more than 50,000 client satisfaction surveys conducted by more than 60 member firms over 4 years. In answer to the question 'What was the MAIN reason you instructed us?', 29% said they'd used the firm before and 21% said the firm had been recommended to them. That's half the instructions. Location was the main reason in 13% of cases. Inevitably price is a feature and part of the decision 'cocktail', but only 4% said that price was the main reason.