We do not accept private searches on behalf of clients or their lenders and would insist on carrying out a proper local authority search, because the conditions of such searches contain a proviso that the information has been obtained by a personal inspection of public records and other legitimate sources available in the public domain.

When I enquired recently of a firm of licensed conveyancers whether they had been given the funds from their client to apply for searches, I was told that they either rely on the home information pack or they do not do searches at all, and take out indemnity insurance.

My view is that even if there is insurance available, this does not necessarily compensate a client who suffers loss, since it will not cover the anxiety and inconvenience which may have been suffered and which may also affect a subsequent sale.

It would be interesting to know if the Council for Licensed Conveyancers approves of such a policy, and whether or not they have ever issued guidance to licensed conveyancers similar to that issued by the Law Society concerning environmental searches, chancel searches and drainage searches.

I know that price seems to be the lowest common denominator for many firms, but this total lack of professionalism is, in my view, symptomatic of a wider malaise and a lowering of standards.