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I am not meaning to criticise QS. Let us all adopt the appropriate business model most suitable to our clients, our practices and to the area of work in which we practise. In my view that necessarily implies assessing each job and each client before deciding how best to charge.

It seems to me that fixing fees has the advantage of certainty for the client, certainty for the solicitor and a basis on which the client can compare one practice with another. However, it forces a form of costs straight jacket on all concerned irrespective of their respective circumstances once it becomes obligatory.

When I took out my pension with Scottish Widows I was shown a league table which had Equitable Life as the cheapest. I can say I am heartily glad I did not go with them. I now read in the financial press that I should shop around for the cheapest annuity. No thanks, I'll stick with Scottish Widows after first taking the lump sum 25% in the hope that they, or rather those who have taken, or do take them, over will still be there after another 35 years.

In other words price should only be one basis for comparison and in my experience it is rarely the best.