Having said that we’ll use simple language doesn’t mean that we cut any corners. Like most people offering advice to the public, lawyers have to comply with "Client Care" procedures, drawn up by the Law Society, which require us to give you information about your case at regular intervals. The first letter we write will probably take you quite some time to work through. We need to confirm the nature of the work you have asked us to do, the costs likely to be payable, any risks associated with the job, etc. Only by doing this can we, and you, be certain that we are heading in the right direction.

Communication is a two-way thing, which means it is important that if you don’t understand what’s going on, you tell us. Either phone and speak to the person handling your case or write to the partner responsible, whose name will have been given to you in that first letter.

Lawyers love Latin. The courts love Latin. At least they did, until they woke up to the fact that nobody else spoke Latin. So in 1999 the courts changed a lot of the language used in formal proceedings, whilst lawyers discovered organisations like "Clarity" which encourage the use of clear, simple language.

We like to think that we communicate with our clients in language that is appropriate. Sometimes there are complex legal issues that cannot be over-simplified, but if someone insists on shouting "caveat emptor" at you, we’ll happily translate it to "buyer beware" and get on with the serious business of explaining how that phrase is relevant to what you are doing.