The other cheek

I do a proportion of matrimonial work but I am by no means a specialist.

I was therefore pleased to receive the Law Society's Family Law Protocol.The SFLA code of conduct states that 'you should encourage the attitude that a family dispute is not a contest in which there is a winner and a loser'; also, that 'you should not express your personal opinions on the behaviour of your client's husband or wife'.I received two letters on the same day from a firm that declares on its notepaper that it is a firm of 'family lawyers'.One kindly gave my client 14 days to answer two financial questions, when there had been no financial disclosure on either side, otherwise they would issue proceedings.The other gave my client seven days to provide 'a satisfactory response' - again, they had provided no financial disclosure - or they would issue proceedings, and reminded me of the costs consequences.The code says in dealing with other solicitors 'you should try to avoid criticising the other solicitors involved in a case'.I may have to turn the other cheek so they can smite that one.

Peter Wade, Sudbury, Suffolk