Having started a conveyancing practice, I duly applied to be placed on the panel of a handful of lenders.

To my surprise, a few outright rejections promptly followed, to the effect that sole practitioners are statistically more likely to be fraudulent, and are, therefore, unacceptable.

Some lenders returned long forms of application to be filled in (one lender even had the nerve to request a fee of 125 to cover its administration costs).

In view of the climate of discrimination against sole practitioners, I am taking a commercial decision not to waste my time in pursuing panel applications.

The inherent conflict of interest in acting for both lender and buyer has often troubled me anyway.

So, if I can find a firm of solicitors who will act for my clients' lenders at an economic rate, then I will be pleased not to have to act for lenders.

Shireen Smith, A1 Law, London