The letter from Peter Morgan highlights the reason why many of us objected to the change in the referral rules in relation to conveyancing (see [2004] Gazette, 4 June, 14).

What Mr Morgan sets out shows that conveyancers will come under further pressure to reduce fees to the benefit of estate agents.

The effect on those firms that go down this path will be to consider how they can reduce the work they do in a conveyancing transaction (for which they will in any event be paid a fraction of the fee received by the agent - but have legal responsibilities that the agent will not have) to the detriment of the client and the probable increase in negligence actions against conveyancers.

It is unfortunate that the Law Society Council did not heed the warnings of experienced conveyancers as to the consequences of the change in the rules.

Gerald Funnell, Funnell & Perring, Hastings, East Sussex