How embarrassing for the Land Registry. It thought it could handle all property transactions and cut out the solicitors with electronic conveyancing and their own rules. Now we find that electronic conveyancing is shelved and the rules have been changed to make solicitors the last line of defence against fraud by signing new Land Registry forms as to identification.

I warned the chief land registrar four years ago that, by abolishing land certificates and charge certificates, the fraudsters would move in. I have been told that fake DS1 forms, fake END1 forms, fake passports, bank statements and so on have been accepted by the Registry direct from the public.

The Registry actively encouraged the public to deal with it direct and handed out DIY kits for the public to fill in. No wonder it all went wrong. How much compensation has the Registry had to pay out? Do we get a public apology following this U-turn?

Andrew Bingham, Bingham & Co, Leicester