Conveyancing continues to trigger more professional negligence claims against solicitors than other sectors (see [2004] Gazette, 25 March 3).
Well, that comes as no surprise to me whatsoever because so many solicitors are now undertaking conveyancing at such 'knock-down' rates that they cannot afford to do the job properly.
For example, my firm quoted 2,450 plus VAT and disbursements last week to an existing client who was selling for 275,000 and buying at 545,000.
Another firm in the same town quoted 750 plus VAT for both transactions but the client decided to go to a firm quoting him 950 plus VAT.
In your article, Zurich said that an increasing number of conveyancing claims arose from non-compliance with lenders' instructions.
Again no surprise here as quite simply the lenders are not prepared to pay for the legal services we provide to them - see Council of Mortgage Lenders Handbook page 18, paragraph 15.
Our unlimited liability and mandatory professional indemnity policies provide lenders with the best insurance policy in the world - unlimited liability and no premium to pay.
What other business would allow such a crazy scenario to arise?
With the public's cost expectation being so low, the sooner I get out of this profession the better.
Regrettably, I know that my view is also shared by many of us 50-somethings who are still in general practice.
Peter Morgan, Osborne Morris & Morgan, Leighton Buzzard
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