QUESTION OF ETHICSQ I have instructions to act on a purchase in a conveyancing matter.

The vendor has instructed her father to act on her behalf.

He is a retired solicitor and does not have a practising certificate.

Can I correspond with him as he is not in practice?A The seller's father is not permitted to act as a solicitor because he is an 'unqualified person' for the purposes of the Solicitors Act 1974.

Therefore, the Law Society's guidance in Annex 25A to the Guide to the Professional Conduct of Solicitors, 1999, eighth edition, will not be relevant here, assuming that the father is doing the work free of charge.

I can see no harm in you corresponding with the father, but it would be prudent to get the seller's written confirmation that she wishes you to do this.

As a non-practising solicitor (assuming that he is indeed still on the roll), the father will still be bound by an undertaking which he gives as 'a solicitor'.

However, there will be no indemnity cover to back this undertaking and it may therefore be unwise to rely on it.

You should consider advising your client as to the problems which may arise during the transaction.Please notel The government has announced that the legislative changes to provide for Limited Liability Partnerships (LLPs) will come into force on 6 April 2001.

However, it does not follow that practitioners will be able to 'convert' to LLP status on that date.

The process will involve two successive steps - registration as an LLP at Companies House followed by recognition as a recognised body by the Law Society under the new Solicitors' Incorporated Practice Rules 2001.

These rules will regulate all incorporated practices, whether companies or LLPs.

The working draft of the rules may be obtained from Professional Ethics.

Further guidance will be given when it becomes available.

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

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