Vive la revolution!

Mark Kober-Smith is to be congratulated on challenging the uncompetitive French notaires monopoly, which is incompatible with a modern economy (see [2000] Gazette, 28 September, 18).

However, he should bear in mind that the French notaires are a last but durable relic of the ancien regime.

They have survived the French revolution, the Napoleonic reforms and the efforts of the competition authority of the European Commission.

It is unlikely that even today's most successful multinational corporation would have been able to withstand such onslaughts over the centuries.

If Mr Kober-Smith succeeds in breaking the monopoly and English solicitors are allowed to conduct conveyancing in France he will have rendered a great service to the French people and have earned a place in the Pantheon.

David Anderson, Sykes Anderson, London E1