Cancel poser

You rightly highlight the new distance selling regulations (SI 2000/2334) (see [2000] Gazette, 2 November, 6).

Many of my Internet clients were unaware of the law, which came in on 31 October.

The profession as a whole should be aware that solicitors' services are also caught by the regulations.

Those, like me, with no 'consumers' among our client base have nothing to fear.

However, others who form contracts at a distance (that is to say they contract by telephone, fax, e-mail) with consumers need to check their compliance with the regulations.

Not all advice is contracted for, or indeed given, face to face.

The regulations give a general right, among other things, for consumers to cancel distance contracts after they are made within the relevant cancellation period.

The right to cancel after chargeable initial advice has already been given by a solicitor by telephone, for example, is only excluded if consumers are given certain information in writing or other durable medium in advance.

Revisions to engagement letters and the procedures to issue them are now in order.

Susan Singleton, Singletons, Pinner, Middlesex