INSURANCE PANACEA?Rather like James Jacoby, 1 am also reluctant to accept Richard Dresner's insurance panacea (see [2001] Gazette, 1 February, 19).Obtaining indemnity cover to extend the shelf-life of a local search will not, of itself, cancel any adverse entry.

It is a gamble giving only a false sense of security.

In future, when timing is crucial to the transaction (when a buyer receives a search at the point of exchange under present arrangements, or a vendor is preparing a property for urgent sale under the proposed package scheme) the insured could find himself having to deal with the local authority over the entry.

Instead of getting on with the sale, the insured may end up processing an insurance claim against indemnity insurers doing everything they can to avoid payment - or pursuing a claim against his former solicitors for recommending such a course of action as good practice.Trevor Smith, solicitor, Brighton