I refer to your recent article 'Conveyancers hit by claims' (see [2004] Gazette, 25 March, 3).

Why should this be such a surprise? I have been a conveyancing solicitor for the past 10 years and the prospect of doing this job until I retire in 20 years or so fills me with dread.

We are expected to do more and more - just look at the extra work we now have to do simply to pay stamp duty - and receive no more remuneration for this.

What protest did the Law Society lodge about these new land transaction forms?

If the Society said, right, minimum fee 1% and we wish to know about any solicitor who charges less than that, how much better off would be both the profession and our clients.

We could employ more staff to handle their calls and those of the estate agents and we as solicitors could then spend all day monitoring the Council of Mortgage Lenders Web site to watch for 'daily changes'.

Unfortunately, unless and until the Law Society takes such action, conveyancing claims will be the biggest source of claims from insurance companies.

Mark Tilden, Paul Tilden & Hill, Plymouth