I read in the Gazette of 22 April that the Co-operative Group is planning to promote its legal services and become an alternative business structure (see [2010] Gazette, 22 April, 4). On 17 April in the Financial Times I read that the Co-operative Group has been fined £14m by the Office of Fair Trading for breaching the Competition Act 1998, which prohibits deals that curb retailers’ ability to set prices independently.

I trust the Legal Services Board will conduct a full investigation into the findings of the OFT before considering the proposal of the Co-operative Group to practise as an alternative business structure.

Salsbury v The Law Society clearly establishes that, if a solicitor behaved in the manner alleged of the Co-operative Group, the solicitor would not be deemed fit to practise.

There should be no distinction drawn between the conduct of a solicitor and that of a corporate body seeking to practise as if it were a solicitor.

Jolyon Holden, Solicitor, Holden & Co, Hastings