Risk management

Postcard from the edge'Dear all,Having a lovely time.

Weather has been great, although it's raining today.

Lucky I found this Internet caf to send you an e-mail.'Hope you are managing to cover my work.

Sorry, I forgot to put a note in the diary about the Smith case.

Please could Jackie just check when limitation runs out.

I think I've still got two days after I get back, if not could she just send off a letter to the usual doctor for a report.'We can always issue a claim and bung the reports in later, can't we? Don't worry about this protocol thing, I don't think it applies to us yet.'Also, could you make sure that you close the Davis file - she hasn't been in touch recently, and I'm sure I've written to her at least twice during the last six months.

To be honest, I don't really want to act for her any more - just close the file, and then if she tries to make an appointment you can tell her to go elsewhere because we're not acting.

But don't let her have the file, she hasn't paid her bill.'Think that's all for now, ha ha - you know me, never can forget about work! That reminds me, saw someone on a jetski yesterday who had a nasty accident.

I tucked my business card into his swimming trunks as the ambulance-men were putting him on the stretcher, so he might ring up for an appointment.'I told him there was no rush, he'd got three years to bring a claim.

That is right, isn't it?'Anyway, enough of all this - I've come away for a break, not to think about work.

I just know that when I get back I'm going to be able to tackle that Greene file that's been sitting on my desk for ages - so don't worry about it.

See you all soon.'These scenarios are all to common.

Here is a checklist of tips on how to avoid them:l If you have a countdown period entered into your diary before the expiry of limitation, you won't end up doing things in a hurry.

If you haven't instructed a medical expert at this stage, you're in trouble.l Personal injury and clinical negligence protocols came into force in April 1999.l If you don't hear from a client, ensure you have been writing to the correct address.

Try telephoning, or check to see whether they have moved.

Write to them warning of the results if they don't contact you - you must not end the retainer unreasonably.l Beware of unusual limitation periods, especially if the action may be brought in a foreign jurisdiction or if it involves unusual means of travel.l Those 'mental block' files won't go away - and if you couldn't do it before your holiday, it's even less likely that you'll deal with it when you get back.

Get them moving before you go away.

l This column was prepared by the St Paul risk management team.