TRUE TO FORM

In response to Neil Donalds letter concerning the requirement to have the client sign a form of CLSAPP7 even in circumstances when it is obvious...In response to Neil Donalds letter concerning the requirement to have the client sign a form of CLSAPP7 even in circumstances when it is obvious from all the other supporting paperwork it is not strictly necessary, I too can confirm that I had an application for public funding returned by my local area office of the Legal Services Commission for such a reason (see [2001] Gazette, 22 March, 16).

There can be no justification other than the tick-box mentality that seems to prevail in the larger organisations.

Having my client sign the CLSAPP7 is now as much a part of my routine as handing to the client the 18-page statement of means form to complete, together with the ten-page explanatory notes relating thereto.

In this particular case, it would only require a small modification to the CLSAPP7 to state that the clients signature is not required if there are existing proceedings.

Timothy Halliday, The Eric Whitehead Partnership, Cheadle, Staffordshire