QUESTION OF ETHICS

Q Our senior partner has just retired and we do not want to appoint a partner with the title 'senior partner' to replace him.

Does this give rise to any problems, as I thought we had to have a senior partner?A There is no requirement in conduct, which provides that a firm must have a senior partner.

Therefore you do not have to designate a partner with the title 'senior partner'.

Of course, you will sometimes receive mail addressed to 'the Senior Partner' - including mail from the Law Society.

You will have to decide which of the partners will receive this mail.Aide Memoirel The new Indemnity Insurance Rules will be effective from 1 September 2000.

Solicitors must ensure that they have their new indemnity insurance in place by that date.

l The Establishment of Lawyers Directive 98/5/EC was implemented in England and Wales on 22 May 2000.

Lawyers from other EU states who are EU nationals and established in the UK have to register with one of the UK Law Societies or Bars.

Lawyers already practising in the UK have until 21 November 2000 to make their applications, unless they wish to take advantage of their new rights under the directive at an earlier date.

l Question of ethics is compiled by the Law Society's professional ethics guidance team.

Send questions intended for publication to Austin O'Malley, the Law Society, Ipsley Court, Berrington Close, Redditch B98 0TD; DX 19114 Redditch;tel: 020 7242 1222.