RISK FACTOR In reply to the letter from M Coakley, this firm has always reserved the right to decline to accept a cheque - as opposed to a bank draft or CHAPS transfer - from a sole practitioner.

This is not because of lack of trust but because of the risk, however small, of the solicitor dying before the cheque is presented.

His bank account would then normally be frozen until probate was obtained.

At the very least there would be a delay in settlement leading to the seller - or more probably his solicitor - having to find the funds in the meantime.Letters continued on page 20 Letters continued from page 18 I fail to see the relevance of the reference to indemnity premiums, save that the seller's solicitor's premium might be increased on renewal.JR Lloyd, Mawdsleys, Southport