With retirement looming at least on the distant horizon, I was encouraged to read that from 1 October my partners will apparently have no practical say in an age limit because of Department of Trade & Industry regulations (see [2006] Gazette, 16 March, 1).

I always assumed a partnership was a free and open meeting of contractual minds, bringing the terms and provisions on which the parties settle and agree, just like any other contract, really. Can parties be justifiably forced into working with other people longer than they wish to? What was it our prime minster said? Oh yes: 'Regulation, regulation, regulation.'


Roger Ennals, Sparling Benham & Brough, Colchester