Most solicitors pride themselves on their independence.

Clients can approach them knowing that they will receive objective unbiased advice on legal and financial matters.

If the profession is to be allowed to pay third parties for the introduction of business then, particularly in small towns, the perception may well be given that the local firms are tied to certain estate agents, insurance brokers, agencies and other groups who are paid what could be large sums of money each year for introducing work.

It is does not take much imagination to envisage a situation where, say, a mortgage broker has arranged a singularly inappropriate mortgage package for a first-time buyer on which comprehensive advice needs to be given to the client as to the legal implications of entering into such a long-term commitment, but the practitioner is reluctant to cast doubt on the scheme for fear of receiving no more referrals from that particular source.

Bill Jackson, solicitor, Nottingham