Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.Data accumulated from Consumers' Association surveys are designed to be used by the consumer. The surveys are, therefore, very specific in nature and the subjects covered diverse. The Data Archive holds 19 such surveys. Readers are asked to note that, with the exception of the surveys on the Telephone Service - 69004, 69016, respondents surveyed are self selected from subscribers to the Association's magazine <i>Which?</i> and so the surveys cannot singly be used in descriptive accounts of the British public. Surveys 69005-69012 cover various aspects of the housing experiences of <i>Which?</i> readers who moved house in 1967 and 1968. It is here particularly important to remember that the choice strategies and the resources of <i>Which?</i> readers are unlikely to be typical.
Main Topics:
Number of different matters over which respondent has consulted a solicitor in last 5 years; whether has a regular or family solicitor; number of different solicitors used over last 5 years (if more than one used, reason given, matters for which solicitor used (18 categories); method of choice of solicitor (29 categories); whether used solicitor for legal advice only, non-legal advice only, for non-advice matters (e.g. probate), if so, frequency of use, amount paid and opinion of utility service given are recorded. Also stated is whether respondent has been represented by a solicitor in any of 9 types of court. Information also includes; opinion on amount of money that respondent has had to pay solicitor (on a 6-point value scale), and whether respondent knew the probable cost at outset; time taken to complete legal matter (reason given if time was great), also whether respondent was satisfactorily informed as to what was going on during this time. Knowledge of statutary and voluntary legal advice schemes is tested and use made of advice under such schemes is recorded. Knowledge and use of specialist solicitors is also recorded. Data are also given on whether respondent has ever had cause to make a serious complaint against a solicitor. If yes, action s/he took (7 categories), and his/her opinion as to where the real fault lay (12 categories - e.g. system, individual solicitor etc.). Whether respondent has ever had a document signed or attested by an official person. If so, who (9 categories); opinion of ease of access to the Commissioner of Oaths and to the Notary Public (4-point scale in each case); whether respondent has bought or sold property in last 5 years without using services of a solicitor - reason for doing so is recorded (who helped respondent with legal work is also noted). A record is made of any other legal work respondent was involved in without the aid of a solicitor. Background Variables Marital status; occupation of self and spouse.
No sampling (total universe)
Postal survey
