I would like to express my disappointment that the recent article headed ‘PII premiums to rise, crisis group warns’ used the word ‘crisis’ to describe the situation and the purpose of the group (see [2009] Gazette, 23 April, 2). This is both false and inflammatory and I am concerned that it will instil panic into practitioners, which is unwarranted and unhelpful.

In addition, the working party was created by the council in its representative capacity and is not a joint group with the Solicitors Regulation Authority. We are leading the work in our representative function to help our members.

We are in dialogue with other groups and we are aware that there is a lot to be learnt from the 2008 renewal process.

That is why we have written a practice note and are holding seminars around the country to aid and inform practitioners on the renewal process. Information on both can be found at www.lawsociety.org.uk. A retainer letter will be available later in the year to help our members with best practice and the representative law society will continue with other initiatives to assist practitioners in obtaining PII up to the 2009 renewal and beyond.

Nigel Day, Chair, PII Working Group