I am incensed after reading last week that a London firm has to shut because its professional indemnity insurance premium was quoted as £110,000 for the forthcoming year (see [2009] Gazette, 17 September, 1).

My own firm’s premium rose from £8,000 in 2007/08 to just under £50,000 in 2008/09 because of one conveyancing claim. I too have a small firm which, as a result of that aggressive attitude by the insurers, will be closing before the end of this insurance year.

I have friends who are GPs and dentists who pay £8,000 and £2,000 respectively for their insurance. Why should we as a profession be expected to pick up the tab for the insurance companies to such a disproportionate extent? How are small firms expected to survive when they have to pay such a large percentage of their turnover to insurers?

It is becoming impossible to continue for many firms. The number of practices that will fall into the assigned risks pool this year will undoubtedly be the highest since it was formed.

So much for an association (the Law Society) protecting the interests of its members. What would other professional bodies do if their member organisations faced such a calamitous situation?

It is too late for the Society to stand up and be counted – they should have fought this battle a long time ago.

Jonathan Jacobs, Jacobs Grundy Solicitors, Salford