The initial driver for this report was the growing speculation around the use of the
comparison web site models for legal services, following the launch of Wigster in
November 2010.
Further, the fact that the role of price comparison and customer
review websites are set to come under scrutiny from the Legal Services Board (LSB).
Considering the applicability of the model brought into discussion a range of other
factors including the shape of the electronic marketplace, online service pricing
strategies, the ability of solicitors to provide instant fixed-fee quotes and the
relationship between price and perceptions of quality.
This report is an attempt to
begin to unpack these areas and does not pretend to offer a complete or definitive
review. Rather, the intention is to raise questions and identify areas of interest for
future exploration and, where appropriate, empirical research.