QUESTION OF ETHICS

Q I am acting for the executor of a will in the administration of an estate.

One of the beneficiaries has instructed a solicitor to...Q I am acting for the executor of a will in the administration of an estate.

One of the beneficiaries has instructed a solicitor to make enquiries about the will and the solicitor has asked for copies of our file.

Our client is happy to release information.

Can we charge the other solicitor?A Yes you can.

See note 6(c) to principle 18.01 in the Guide to the Professional Conduct of Solicitors, 1999, eighth edition, page 352.

Where a solicitor asks another solicitor to supply copies of documents, there is a professional obligation to pay a proper charge for them.Please noteLimited liability partnerships (LLPs)The government has announced that the legislative changes to provide for 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.An information pack including the draft rules is now available from professional ethics.

l Question of ethics is compiled by the Law Societys professional ethics guidance team.

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