I am writing with regard to the article ‘Conveyancing warning’ (see [2008] Gazette, 16 October, 2).

Perhaps the Law Society, particularly in view of the current financial climate, should consider approaching the main financial institutions to change what has become common conveyancing practice for undertakings.

Surely it is possible for those financial institutions to provide solicitors with the appropriate discharge of the lender’s security prior to completion, subject to an undertaking from the solicitor not to release it until the solicitor sends to the lender the amount notified by the lender as being needed to discharge the security.

The only reason for financial institutions not agreeing to such a change in the current practice must surely be either that they are incapable of providing the discharge on what they may consider as being short notice, or that they do not trust conveyancing solicitors.

Tim Broome, Broome Palmer, London.