All the questions in our consultation document are set out here to make it easy to respond. 

Please answer as fully as you can.  You do not have to answer all questions but you will need to have read our consultation document. 

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* 1. Is there any obstacle to the provision of full estimates at the point that potential clients are shopping around for a legal service provider?

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* 2. Would it be desirable for the CLC to amend its rules to make explicit that estimates provided to consumers should always be regarded by the firm as binding on them should they be instructed (subject to any new information emerging that legitimately affects cost)?

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* 3. Would it be preferable to require firms only to publish general pricing information rather than personalised, transaction-specific estimates?

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* 4. Do you agree that we can rely on guidance to secure greater availability of information rather than creating new rules?

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* 5. Do you agree that that the range of inputs that will be used to generate estimates need not be specified as long as the outputs have to meet a common standard?

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* 6. If you believe that the list of inputs should be standardised, are there any omissions from the list above or any items that should be removed?

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* 7. Will the template for conveyancing estimates provide clients with complete and reliable estimates? If not, what changes should we consider?

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* 8. Do you agree that that the range of inputs that will be used to generate estimates need not be specified as long as the outputs have to meet a common standard?

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* 9. If you believe that the list of inputs should be standardised, are there any omissions from the list above or any items that should be removed?

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* 10. Will the template for probate estimates provide clients with complete and reliable estimates? If not, what changes should we consider?

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* 11. Do you agree that firms should be required either to use an estimate generator or to publish their prices as a list?

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* 12. Should we make the use of estimate generators – whether on a firm’s own website or through a DCT – mandatory for easier comparison?

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* 13. How has use of a DCT affected your ability to attract clients?

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* 14. Is the publication of price lists feasible in your opinion? If not, why not?

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* 15. Do you agree that firms should be required to provide written estimates by email, post or in person in response to non-internet queries? If not, please tell us why.

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* 16. Do you agree that the provision of data by firms to DCT should be on a voluntary basis?

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* 17. Are there other issues we should take into account in relation to DCT?

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* 18. Do you agree that no regulatory action is required to ensure that firms make clear to clients the legal service they can provide because firms already provide sufficient information?

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* 19. Do you agree that no regulatory action is required and that the market will ensure that information about models of service delivery will be communicated to customers as part of firms’ marketing efforts? If not, please tell us why.

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* 20. Do you agree that firms should provide general information about their mix of staff when providing cost estimates and on their websites?

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* 21. Do you agree that the legal qualifications and experience of the individuals who will actually carry out the work for the client should be set out in the letter of instruction?

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* 22. Do you agree that accreditation schemes should not be used as a basis for consumer choice?

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* 23. Are there accreditation schemes which could be developed that would provide useful information to consumers?

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* 24. Should the CLC require all firms to ask their clients one standard question as part of their wider feedback surveys as a basis for comparisons of quality?

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* 25. Should the CLC require firms to publish their score on the standard question on their websites?

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* 26. Should the CLC collate and publish the scores of all firms against the standard question?

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* 27. Would it be desirable for the CLC to manage the collection of responses to the standard question through a survey that firms should signpost to clients?

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* 28. Do you agree that the CLC should promote the use of third party feedback platforms as best practice and not make their use mandatory?

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* 29. Would making use of third party feedback platforms mandatory improve outcomes for consumers?

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* 30. Question 30

What measures of quality or proxies would help consumers choose the right legal service provider for them?

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* 31. Do you agree that publication of data on first tier complaints by law firms should not be mandatory?

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* 32. If you believe that first tier complaints data should be published by law firms, what steps can the CLC take to ensure that it provides a reliable basis for comparison between firms without raising the regulatory burden disproportionately?

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* 33. How important would comparable first tier complaints data be in informing consumer choice?

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* 34. Do you agree that publication of data on second tier complaints by law firms should not be mandatory?

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* 35. If you believe that second tier complaints data should be published by law firms, what steps would need to be taken to ensure that consumers could use them easily to inform their choice of legal service provider?

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* 36. Do you agree that firms should be required to publish disciplinary information about their lawyers and the firm?

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* 37. Do you think that there is merit in firms publishing their level of PII cover to help guide consumer choice?

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* 38. Do you think that data about first tier and second tier complaints should be added to the digital register of CLC-regulated firms as a useful resource for DCT and others?

  Yes No
First Tier
Second Tier

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* 39. If you agree that that complaints data should be added to the register how should we make clear to consumers the relevant context and the degree of reliance that can be placed up comparison of those figures?

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* 40. How can data about complaints be made available in other ways?

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* 41. Do you agree that information about conduct matters should be signposted from entries on the digital register?

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* 42. Do you agree that the CLC should not publish information about individuals or firms under investigation?

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* 43. Should the CLC add service ratings to its digital register of firms?

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* 44. Is there anything else you'd like to tell us? 

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