YOUR article about the Taiwanese extradition proceedings affecting Dean Zain (“Appeal sparks fresh battle to extradite first Scot to Taiwan”, The Herald, June 29) repeats a couple of common misperceptions about changing one's name.

First, there is no official process required in either Scotland or England in order simply to start using a different name: you just do it, and the official part only comes in if you want the name on records and documents such as birth certificate, driving licence and so on altered. The second misunderstanding is the use of the expression "deed poll". This procedure only applies in England and Wales. In Scotland, an application is made to Registers of Scotland.

Brian Chrystal,

55 Craiglockhart Road, Edinburgh.