My firm, along with thousands of others, is no longer on the HSBC panel. As a result of the ludicrous volume of enquiries being raised by the bank’s preferred lawyers for this area in a case I am currently involved in, and because of the unrealistic and unworkable undertakings which are required, this firm has agreed not to act for clients if they are having an HSBC mortgage.

I recently received instructions from a well-established client of this firm who informed me that he has submitted an online application for an HSBC mortgage. I informed him that I would not be able to continue acting.

Without any hesitation, and much to my surprise and delight, the client indicated that he would look elsewhere - for another mortgage, not another firm of solicitors. In advance of my conversation with the client, I had in fact made some preliminary enquiries with other local firms, in case the client asked me to whom I could recommend him.

I was pleased to learn that I was not alone in this area in refusing to accept instructions for HSBC clients; perhaps word will eventually get back to those who made the unilateral decision to cull us all from its panel that clients do actually value their relationship with their solicitor and that perhaps loyalty to their solicitor exceeds that to their lender.

J Marshall, Bell Lamb & Joynson Solicitors, Runcorn