A law unto themselves?

Another load of nonsense. I can assure this Legal Firm (who by their own admission have been getting some pretty rude e-mails) that IFAs are not apathetic in the slightest. AIFA has been making representations on our behalf and not withstanding this firm's dismissive attitude of AIFA, they are in general held in a lot higher regard than he imagines. Indeed he would be a happy man if his firm were held in half as high esteem. What is hard to accept is that any legal practice is prepared to do anything out of the goodness of their heart. Just as IFAs have to bear the burden of ‘Commission hungry salesmen’ so lawyers have to bear the common brickbats with which they are only too familiar. Q. How do you tell if a lawyer has been in a road accident? A. Complete absence of skid marks on the road. So come on lighten up and if you really want to help – get in touch with Chris Cummings.

Posted by: Harry Katz

stand up and be counted

Get behind this, it may be our only chance to have a fair hearing. what do we have to lose? Gareth has already said he will refund the money if he does not have a case.Not all lawyers are only interested in money. How often have we been accused of the same thing, knowing it is simply not true? stop dithering. Stand up to them for goodness sake.You will have no right to moan if this unfair levy goes ahead, which it undoubtedly will if we sit back and do nothing. Whilst I admire Chris Cummings & AIFA, I do not think we should expect to sit back whilst he does all the work. We need to unite on this one.

Posted by: rooting for Gareth

IFA's concerns

As an IFA I can assure you I am not apathetic but we have two concerns. One is a dislike or "Raising one's head above the parapet" Annonimity is desireable quality. The other is a fear or regulator's disapproval if one tries to rock the boat for example objecting to the levy and refusing to pay. However on this occasion, when the levy arrives I will respectfully reply that I do not agree that the levy has been correctly applied and consequently will refuse to pay until the basis for paying for a product provider's mistakes being levied upon intermediaries is resolved. I urge others to do the same. A groundswell of combined action will be a powerful force. The reason Britain has been emboiled in so many conflicts over the years is the fine British trait to fight against injustice, ie the old adage "it's the principle of the thing" applies. Meek and mild as I normally am, it is a stand up and be counted moment.

Posted by: Colin Stratton

Why I didnt sign up

Having been keen originally, the reason we wont sign up is that the structure of their approach merely incentivises them to spend as little time on the matter as possible. I contacted Gareth to find out how they intend to "charge" their time, only to discover that the fee paid will be retained come what may, once theyve started. This means if e.g. 500 firms sign up, they will have over £100,000 of which they will return nothing. Where then is the incentive for them to fight the case to the death? The less time they spend on it once its started, the more profit they make. Doesnt strike me as a shared objective with the IFAs who pay towards this therefore.

Posted by: Paul Harding

Fatchett's record

Before all you IFAs who start coughing up cash because you may feel you back is to the wall, you need to do a little research about this man. Yes he may be right IFAs being divisive, but that is the only thing which I would agree with. Where has he been all this time? If you take the time you'll find out that he has not succeeded in anyone case for IFAs against the regulator. As all lawyers he will take your money but unlikely to beat the opposition. There is no simple answer apart from we need a friendly ear from a Conservative MP. Unfortunately Hoban still has the job of sorting out the FSA. What IFAs need is for him to be sacked and replaced with a more intelligent and sympathetic MP towards IFAs who will be able to make the difference.

Posted by: Experienced IFA with Fatchett experience