They did not hold out any hope that the law would help them if they did suffer discrimination, despite new regulations outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation that came into force in 2003.

The "work hard, play hard" attitude of many firms, with "constant trips" to strip clubs such as The Spearmint Rhino, rugby matches and drinking sessions, has deterred some from being open about their sexuality, it finds.

Gay lawyers accept that there is a less hostile environment both in the law and outside it than there was a decade ago, but many still prefer to adopt a "mask" for fear of jeopardising their career prospects, particularly in the early years.

The findings emerged in the first study gay and lesbian solicitors by the Law Society of England and Wales, the professional body for nearly 100,000 solicitors.

The qualititative survey, based on in depth interviews, said that the numbers of gay solicitors or the extent of discrimination against them cannot be estimated because of their need to "cloak their sexual orientation so well", at least until established in their careers.

Discrimination was subtle rather than overt, the study claimed, although for some "there remained a strong belief that discrimination was rife, perhaps less so in smaller practices or the employed sector, but certainly in some City firms."

Even if not overt, the lawyers questioned admitted "feeling restricted by perceptions and expectations of discrimination".

They did not hold out any hope that the law would help them if they did suffer discrimination, despite new regulations outlawing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation that came into force in 2003. They were more likely to look for another job than bring legal action against their employers, taking the view that to do so would make them unemployable afterwards.