All firms must by 6 October alter their paper and all else to state ‘authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority’, we are reminded by Charles Plant in the Gazette of 8 September.

How many hours did this decision consume? How many hours will be spent making the amendment - and at what cost? How many hours will be consumed regulating those failing to comply?

Roget’s Thesaurus gives under ‘regulate’ the alternatives of adjust, arrange, direct - sufficient surely? ‘Authorised’ adds due and legalised.

It was not long ago that we changed to ‘regulated by the SRA’.

In the same issue, Joshua Rozenberg warmly recommends a dictionary of legal usage. I shall buy it to see if it supports my initial view that this is a disappointing start to the new regime - futile, time-wasting and expensive.

Perhaps others with greater knowledge understand the need for a change.

Elizabeth Muirhead, London WC2

The SRA responds:

Elizabeth Muirhead's letter questions the need for firms to change their letterheads, websites and emails to say ‘authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority’ from 6 October, when our new Handbook and Code of Conduct come into effect.

The reason for the change is to signal to clients and consumers generally that all firms are not simply regulated by the SRA, but have been subject to an authorisation process to enable them to enter the regulated community and provide legal services to the public.

We have given firms fair warning of this - it is set out in Outcome 8.5 of the new Code of Conduct, which we published nearly six months ago, and which was subject to consultation beforehand. We have also sent reminders to individuals and firms.

We appreciate that whilst websites, email footers and computer templates are relatively straightforward to change, firms may have stocks of pre-printed headed paper that they don't want to waste. Therefore, we are happy for firms to use these old stocks and change their headed paper as soon as practicable in the next few months.

Samantha Barrass, executive director supervision, risk and standards, Solicitors Regulation Authority