Comparison websites should commit to a set of voluntary standards to ensure legal service consumers are protected, according to a new report.

The Legal Services Consumer Panel today says the websites could help to improve access to legal advice and stimulate greater competition on price and quality grounds.

The panel visited 16 comparison websites looking to make a will and to arrange conveyancing. Its findings were generally positive but it warned clients will make poor choices if there is insufficient information or over-reliance on price. The report says regulators can help by ensuring access to professional registers, giving information such as lawyers’ contact details and areas of specialism.

The research also finds that eight out of 10 search requests for will-preparation made through referral websites did not get responses from lawyers; in conveyancing this was five out of 10. It was judged that lawyers felt these cases were not worthwhile commercially.

Elisabeth Davies, chair of the panel, said: ‘Comparison websites are a welcome new feature in legal services as they could make it easier for consumers to choose lawyers and boost competition.

‘But experience in other sectors has shown there are also risks - we are calling on website operators to demonstrate their commitment to consumer protection by signing up to some common sense good practice standards.

‘It’s staggering that so many lawyers are refusing leads generated through comparison websites. Consumers are unlikely to use these services again if they get turned away - it’s a massive own goal by the profession.’