It seems that some solicitors will never change and will continue to be suckers for punishment.

I was recently approached by an existing client to witness some signatures on a loan agreement and sign a certificate of advice. The loan was from a company I had never heard of, with an interest rate that would cause the average loan shark to be embarrassed. The so-called certificate of advice was basically a guarantee from my firm to the loan company that the clients would not be able to challenge the loan agreement.


After I explained my charges, the client protested, saying it was only a signature by me and offered me £5. I declined the offer and politely explained why I needed to charge what I had quoted, namely, indemnity insurance, record keeping, file opening administration, etcetera - but it all fell on deaf ears.


The client went away and returned some time later to show me the documents witnessed and the certificate signed by another firm all for £10 - £5 each for him and his partner. The firm in question shall remain nameless, but when will we all realise that this is why solicitors are soft targets when it comes to indemnity claims?


Ash Alam, Longfords, Oldham