Dear Sir,THE announcement that the Communities Secretary is set to delay Home Information Packs (HIPS) is a shock to the legal profession.

Much hard work and expense had been incurred preparing for the arrival of HIPS on June 1. Now everyone will be hoping that eventually HIPs will proceed as planned and that the effort and cost will not have been wasted.

The legal profession woke up to the reality of HIPS during the course of May, following the Government's long-awaited publication of the new regulations.

HLF has invested heavily in the software and training to be able to provide a comprehensive in-house HIPS service to estate agents. We grasped the opportunity right at the beginning so that we did not lose out to electronic conveyancing factories.

This is in contrast to many firms who will use online services and will have no control over the cost or timing of delivery of HIPS.

The legal firm can offer huge advantages over other alternatives, particularly online services.

Now we are afraid the Government will either delay HIPs again and then bury them as politically embarrassing - so we will have wasted our time - or change them so that we are forced into having to pay for further amendments to our system.

HIPs should be beneficial all round. The solicitor will have all the legal documentation at a much earlier stage than previously.

There need be no delays while a solicitor assembles the necessary information after a sale has been put in hand.

I'm nailing my colours to the mast and welcoming the system. I think it's a totally sensible and logical way to do things.

I sincerely hope that we have not all wasted our time.



Tony John
Partner
Horsey Lightly Fynn 3 Poole Road
Bournemouth BH2 5QJ