Better late than never

In response to my letter on sanctions for late submission of claims, Ruth Symons, senior legal adviser at the Legal Services Commission (LSC), says that the intention was to secure more prompt submission of bills (see [2002] Gazette, 7 March, 17).

Why? The commission does not pay interest and could hardly be said to be prejudiced by delay.

My point is that the LSC seems to have changed its relationship with solicitors.

Surely it should stand in the shoes of the client.

It is then perfectly reasonable to impose conditions and restrictions on the work to be done.

To seek pretexts for not paying for such work after it has been done is more appropriate to an adversarial paying party.

That seems to me wrong in principle.

Michael Fowle, Thorndyke Legal Costs Service, Felixstowe