England: Report finds high street solicitors a dying breed

As alternative business structures and niche firms make further incursions into the territory of small practices, respondents to a Lexis Nexis survey anticipated losing work.

Just over half of lawyers at high street practices said that “overall legal quality in the UK will decrease” following structural changes while almost 80 per cent foresaw “non-legals” competing with directly with law firms.

About 65 pert cent thought small practices would have to become more “artisan” and “bespoke” in order to survive.

High street lawyers also worried about the quality of the profession, saying that “good lawyers” were now in a minority.

One respondent said: “I’m afraid I’ve seen a decline in quality, certainly in the last five years, in small firms – particularly in intellect, ability to think and skill.”