Solicitors expect a high number of law firm closures as a result of alternative business structures, research has suggested.

A survey of 150 law firms by referral service Contact Law found that 36% thought one in five high street law firms will go out of business over the next few months.

However, the survey suggested that lawyers are willing to adapt to the changing market, with 63% of those questioned saying that they are prepared to change their pricing structure to remain competitive.

Some 85% also said that fixed legal services fees will be commonplace in five years' time.

The survey further revealed that firms are embracing new ways to market their services to consumers. Of those surveyed, 73% use or are planning to use online marketing and search engine optimisation, 14% plan to use Facebook, Twitter or blogs, and 10% will use mobile methods, such as apps. This contrasts with just 4% who believe offline marketing is the way their firm should progress.

Contact Law director Dan Watkins said: ‘The introduction of ABSs will have a significant impact on the industry and law firms are right to be planning ahead for how they will compete with the new legal providers.

‘We are not looking at the death of the high street law firm as we know it, but those practices that are innovative and give customers what they want will put themselves in a stronger position to survive and prosper in the ABS era.’