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Anonymous rude comments don't show our profession in a good light. They don't gain us respect and are not going to assist in improving matters that need improving. I really think it is time for comments to be only allowed on this professional site if people are willing to put their names to them. The Gazette would not print an anonymous letter: why should it be different on-line?

There are solicitors who would like to undertake 'unbundled' work and potential clients who would like to pay for it. No solicitor is bound to do it. Given the lack of access to justice caused in part by the original Jackson reforms and in part by the 5% government 'litigation tax', ordinary claimants and SMEs need options such as 'pic 'n mix' services to enable them to afford to bring claims.

Solicitors who wish to undertake such services need protection against unfair claims. Sir Rupert's reassurance may not be enough in itself, but it is welcome. For the present, solicitors willing to undertake discrete parts of litigation need to be scrupulous about defining the limits of their tasks in engagement letters, not allowing undocumented 'mission creep' and not going on the court record (because that opens up wider duties to the court and perhaps an obligation to 'look out for' the client as long as the solicitor is on the record).