CORRECT INSTRUCTION

It surprises John Vassallo that the profession has stooped so low with its advertising (see [2001] Gazette, 18 October, 16).

Having seen this, perhaps the profession should not be surprised at the modern rebuffs to normal practice.

One such is a letter on my desk this morning in response to a statement that I am acting for a particular individual.

In the past, businesses would correspond with me following such a statement, as though they were corresponding with my client.

Now, it appears, I am asked to prove that I am in fact acting for the client by way of his official confirmation in writing.

It looks like we are going to have to change our procedures, so that upon receiving instructions from our clients we receive a signed confirmation of our instructions, which we can photocopy to all those with whom we shall need to correspond.Peter Diver, Peter J Diver & Co, Ely, Cambridgeshire