In response to the letter ‘Advice warning’, may I add a fourth reason? That is the fact that your own client will complain bitterly if they see you giving quarter to the enemy.

I have just spent two hours dealing sympathetically but fairly and firmly with a complaint­ from a matrimonial client. She was upset because ‘her’ solicitor had spoken to her ex-partner. Since the ex-partner was not represented and the transaction we were trying to complete was the transfer of a jointly owned house into our client’s sole name, I am unsure what our client expected us to do. However, the very fact that we had dared to speak to him, even though we did not give him any advice, sent her into a rage.

Bill Willcocks, Kirby Sheppard, Bristol