May I say how delighted I am to see that the Law Society Council has yet again rejected the arguments in favour of paying referral fees (see [2003] Gazette, 23 October, 1).

I endorse the views of Society council member Michael Garson on this topic.

The Solicitors Property Group has always maintained that the payment of such fees is wrong.

I have been unable to understand the arguments advanced by The Office of Fair Trading in favour of such payments.

I cannot conceive of any justification for the assertion that the non-payment of referral fees, in relation to conveyancing transactions is in any way anti-competitive.

If such fees were required it would inevitably mean that the cost of conveyancing to the public would increase.

Gerald Funnell, chairman, Solicitors Property Group