The report, titled 'Opening up Data in Legal Services', has argued that regulators need to do more to help consumers make informed choices about accessing legal services. The panel has suggested that law firms should be required by regulators to regularly publish data sets and information that could help foster informed decision making by prospective clients.

'Average costs' for services

The panel has urged regulators to lift standards of transparency around pricing for prospective clients by requiring that legal services providers publish 'average costs of services' on their websites in instances were fixed fees cannot be offered. By requiring greater visibility of price information, the report argues that regulators will be able support the development of price competitiveness between providers and, in turn, help contain the cost of legal services for consumers. Greater certainty around pricing would acknowledge that clients often seek legal services when they're already at their most vulnerable and often need predictability, the report argues.

Complaints data

Additionally, the panel has recommended that regulators should collate and make available first-tier complaint data for consumers, as is common practice in other sectors. According to 2012 research from the Financial Services Authority, 38 per cent of customers said that they would be likely to use complaints data to help guide their choice of financial services provider. While a majority of legal services regulators collate first-tier complaints data, none of them currently publish this data to help aid consumer choice.

Jumping in

While the panel acknowledges that the legal services sector has 'a long way to go' in using accessible data as a means of either empowering consumers or regulating providers, the report concludes that early-day obstacles should not stop regulators from taking steps to boost transparency. 'The information or data provided may not be perfect to start off with, but this should not impede its release. Regulators in other sectors have made strides by releasing imperfect data, then refining and developing it as dissemination improved.' Sources: Legal Futures; Legal Services Consumer Panel