CHEQUE THIS OUTI read with interest M Coakley's letter regarding sole practitioners' completion cheques (see [2001] Gazette, 5 January, 13).

The clause referred to is entered as a 'standard' clause within 90% of the contracts received in my office from north Lincolnshire solicitors.

This, as your reader suggests, is an insult.

However, immediately after reading the letter I received a telephone call from a client who had instructed my office in connection with a conveyancing transaction.

I was told that she had been advised by a building society that my office could not act for her because the office was run as a sole practice and that I would run off with the building society's mortgage advance cheque.

Your correspondent asks whether the Law Society has a view about this in terms of professional practice and general ethics.Finally, the client advised me that they had gone to the building society as their financial adviser had indicated that it was the cheapest.

They will probably get what they pay for.Peter Sargent, solicitor, Grimsby