Networking websites such as Facebook are causing a headache for UK firms, and lawyers are divided over how firms should to adapt to them, new research has shown.

Almost a quarter of UK lawyers (24%) believe staff should be stopped from using such sites, while 39% say they should have full access. The remaining 37% said staff should be allowed to use the sites but with certain restrictions.

These are the results of the latest Legal Week/EJ Legal Big Question survey, which shows the debate over the use of such websites is some way off from being resolved in the legal industry. It follows the decision by Allen & Overy (A&O) to ban access to Facebook, only to reverse its decision last month. Since the move, the membership of A&O's group on the site has risen from 732 to almost 1,200.

Olswang media partner Dan Tench commented: "There have to be some restrictions for staff accessing networking sites at work to prevent damage to the system, overuse of networks and time-wasting. However, in a modern era we need to encourage people to use the internet as much as possible."

Weil Gotshal & Manges dispute resolution partner Matthew Shankland added: "Because we expect and get so much out of our people here and because so much of what we expect cuts into their social and private life, is it reasonable for them to socialise in other ways – provided it is within reason. However, it is not for everyone and these sorts of networking tools should not be used as a general tool if you are not sure of the audience."

When asked whether networking sites such as Facebook could be used for communicating with clients, partners were also divided. Almost half (49%) said the sites 'could not be used at all', while 32% said they could be used 'a little' and 16% said 'to a considerable extent'. Three percent they could be used 'a great deal'.

CMS Cameron McKenna dispute resolution partner Susan Barty said: "We have to keep up with the times. Some networking sites could be useful tools for communicating with clients, but more so instant messaging and blogs."

Lawyers were more open to the idea of using the sites to liaise with potential recruits. Seventy-nine percent said the sites would be useful in such a context.

Shankland added: "We also do things like using SMS messages to keep in touch with prospective trainees. If you use technology in a tailored and sensible way that fits in with the people you are communicating with, then it is a positive thing."

Respondents earmarked a number of sites and web tools they regularly used, with 72% using Google, 16% using Wikipedia and 6% using YouTube. Most thought their firm's efforts to harness these new internet tools were successful, with 24% saying they thought their firm's internet usage was 'excellent' and a further 18% saying such attempts were 'good'.