Q I understand that the Law Society's Guide Online contains updates showing the changes to professional rules and regulations since the Guide to the Profes-sional Conduct of Solicitors, 1999, eighth edition was published.

How do I use the Guide Online to ensure that I am looking at the most recent version of any rule?

A Guide Online can be viewed at: www.guide.lawsociety.org.uk.

Users should begin by looking at the 'Read this first' section which explains the system of updates.

The updates can be found in 'chapter 32: information packs and updated rules', which can be accessed by choosing to browse the site, then navigating to chapter 32.

When you are searching the Guide Online, it is important to check that the document you are looking at is the most current version.

So, for instance, if it's a practice rule, check it against the version of the Solicitors' Practice Rules 1990, shown in chapter 32.

The guide was written as a connected book.

Any change would affect many other parts of the text.

For this reason the system of updates using chapter 32 has been adopted.

Be aware

The Law Society's professional ethics department has produced a free booklet entitled: Do I need a practising certificate? Solicitors can obtain a copy by telephoning the number below.

Alternatively, it is available at: www.guide.

lawsociety.org.uk.

Click on browse the guide and then on chapter 32.

Telephone hotline

The professional ethics lines are open for general enquiries between 11am and 1pm, and 2pm and 4pm.

The lines are less busy in the afternoon.

The team takes emergency calls outside these hours, tel: 0870 606 2577.

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