SIF: our right to decide

Write to: The Editor, The Lawyer, 50 Poland Street, London W1V 4AX, fax 0171 970 4395, e-mail lawyer.edit@chiron.co.uk, DX44700 Soho Square

Although I completed and sent off my questionnaire, my personal preference as a sole practitioner is not reflected in any of the options apparently available to the profession. Whereas I believe that a mutual fund must continue, equally, firms should have the right to opt out and arrange their insurance through approved insurers.

That would address the concerns of many solicitors, namely that they have no choice but to pay the premium calculated by SIF. If we had the choice to go into the marketplace, then at least we would have the right to decide whether to remain with SIF, or leave SIF and be covered by an approved insurer. One's choice would be determined by the quotations received from the private sector as opposed to the SIF premium.



CJA Cope, Cope's Solicitors.