YOUR headline ‘We fought the law and won’ (June 1) told of solicitor Nigel Harvie being brought to account by the neighbours of an elderly, vulnerable lady with no living relatives and suspected of suffering from dementia.

Mr Harvie obtained her signature on a dubious deal that effectively deprived her estate of her house for a knock-down price.

After Mr Harvie admitted breaching professional conduct the solicitors’ regulation authority imposed a £305,000 fine, but Mr Harvie has not faced criminal proceedings.

It is not likely that he will ever be brought before the courts. His behaviour to his client falls into conduct which would be difficult to prove as a crime.

Usually the main witness has died, making this type of activity very easy to commit in this country. It can be very lucrative, with a small chance of being found out.

Mr Harvie had not quite covered his tracks. But for the tenacity of the old lady’s neighbours he almost got away with abusing his position of trust, so every respect is due to them.

I believe this case is the tip of a large iceberg that the police and other authorities find difficult to deal with. You cannot report fraud at a police station any more, you will be directed to Action Fraud, run by the Metropolitan Police, online or by telephone.

I personally know of three different families affected, including one where a professional will writer awarded himself thousands of pounds while supposedly rewriting a vulnerable lady’s will shortly before she died.

There is little regulation on the will writer occupation, and this needs to be changed rapidly.

Almost anyone can do it with a little practice.

ALAN KERRY
Newman Road, Littlemore, Oxford