Now is the time for the Law Society and its members to take heed of the advice offered by Peter Morgan in his letter, that ‘we need to embrace property selling’ (see [2009] Gazette, 19 February, 11).

Within the last nine months we have opened our own combined estate agency/property shop in a local town with a population of 16,000. We are dealing with a group of no more than four national estate agents, all of which actively suggest to our existing clients that they should use their own in-house legal departments.

Furthermore, one well-known national estate agency is promoting a £1,000 cashback offer if you use their own in-house legal/mortgage department. More than ever, conveyancing work is being taken away from our firm.

The days have gone when clients were loyal to a firm irrespective of any external sources. It is about time partners realise that the work will no longer walk through the door as it did in ‘the good old days’.

As a small firm we do all we can to try and keep up with the competition. By taking the plunge to open our own in-house agency we have taken a huge risk. But if solicitors wish to remain within the conveyancing market over the next decade they need to offer an alternative service.

We are qualified professionals and, without belittling agency work, it is not rocket science. Clients like the idea of a one-stop shop whereby they walk into one office rather than deal with call-centre type firms in the back of beyond.

People change, expectations change. Just because something worked in the last century does not necessarily mean that it will work in the future.

David Ralley, Ralley Solicitors, Newport Pagnell