Groan. At the end of a recent Gazette editorial, the piece described conveyancing (and probate) as private practice’s ‘more prosaic functions’ (see [2009] Gazette, 10 September, 8). Here we go again: someone at the Law Society wantonly bad-mouthing my chosen area of law. I remember one past-president of the Law Society publicly describing conveyancing as of low worth and boring. I don’t know what planet he lives on, but my clients certainly don’t see what I do for them in that way. How can you put areas of law into a hierarchy, with some more ‘poetic’ than others?

The law is what it is; it spans all of human life. Personally, I find conveyancing the most interesting area of law. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t do it.

Perhaps those who are meant to be representing me could try a bit harder. Thank God for Paul Marsh’s stint. I wonder what he thinks.

Mary Clifford, conveyancing partner (and proud), Gordons Partnership Guildford

  • : It’s a fair cop. One definition of prosaic is ‘commonplace’, which is the sense meant in the editorial. Of course, something can be ‘commonplace’ like conveyancing is (or was, alas), and immensely valuable. However, on reflection I accept that to describe something as ‘prosaic’ has negative connotations, which was not the intention. Editor’s note

    Apologies to any other conveyancers – or indeed probate solicitors – similarly offended. If any of you would like to write a poem about your chosen calling, I will happily publish it!