My firm is on a union panel and has been for more than 25 years but, contrary to what Anthony Hunt says in his letter (see [2005] Gazette, 15 September, 18), I do need to provide a good service. If I do not, then my client will complain to the union.

Quite apart from the issue of having pride in doing a job properly, I have little doubt that my firm would soon be thrown off the panel if the union considered I did not provide a good service to its members. I cannot imagine any other union panel firm would say differently.


I should also like to put Mr Hunt's mind at rest by assuring him that my firm does not pay a referral fee for any case we receive from the union.


Bill Willcocks, Kirby Simcox, Bristol