The cost of writing a letter

Mike Sanders' comment (see [2000] Gazette, 18 May, 18) that, in legally aided cases, the cost of writing a letter to a client to tell him why nothing is happening 'may well' be disallowed on taxation cannot pass without comment.The crucial words are 'may well'.

It is also likely that, if the district judge indicates such an intention and it is explained to him that the solicitor is following 'best practice', complying with the rules to which the profession is subject (Costs Information & Client Care Code 1999 Para 7 (a)) and is heading off a potential complaint, the district judge 'may well' allow the cost.In any event, Mr Sanders seems to have missed the whole point of the case study, which was to illustrate how complaints handlers should not always just take the complaint at face value.

Michael Frith, LawyerLine, Office for the Supervision of Solicitors