Third parties’ expectations of receiving a ‘wedge’ from us for an introduction started about the time legal aid was withdrawn for personal injury actions. It seems lots of folk want to get their fingers in the pie.

Most introducers have no interest in the legal process or quality of service – only the money they can squeeze out of us. The consumer, I am certain, doesn’t know and probably doesn’t care about referral fees.

As far as they are concerned an intermediary has recommended a law firm – and that is the end of the matter. The consumer might believe the intermediary has carried out extensive research in finding a suitable firm.

The consumer might even believe the intermediary has some in-depth knowledge of legal matters to help select a suitable solicitor.

As was demonstrated recently, politicians do not know the half of it. Jack Straw’s realisation of ‘the dirty little secret’ just went to show how naive even (former) ministers of justice are about the legal world. They are also clearly ignorant of the various websites that auction off prospective legal work to the highest bidder.

The SRA, and I see Lord McNally, seem to believe that as long as the general public have no demands for a ban, or the consumer cannot discern anything wrong with referral fees, the current position can remain.

To the SRA, Lord McNally, Jack Straw and the MoJ – please believe us, referral fees do add cost to the consumer. The system is removing the free choice of lawyer, putting clients in contact with law firms right out of their area, and, most worryingly, putting clients in touch with law firms who do not have experience of a particular area of law.

The Law Society should head off these referral firms and claims farmers. It is perhaps in a better position to help consumers find the right law firm. With a little thought and planning the Society could put most of the referral parasites out of business and actually provide a service.

Then to complete the picture – ban referral fees.

Timothy Simkins, Simkins, Baldock, Hertfordshire