I am not a rail traveller, but I can sympathise with rail commuters who have no choice, then find themselves having to stand for their journey (Oxford Mail, October 31). If they are travelling on second class fares and find there is room in the first class section, I wonder whether this case law might be helpful.

Under Section 11 of the Unfair Contract Terms Act 1977, Mr Registrar Russell at Stockport County Court on October 5, 1987 set a precedent.

If the guard cannot conduct you to an empty second class seat, you may sit in first class at no extra charge.

The privatisation of the railways has not affected this ruling and the Unfair Contract Terms Act of 1977 remains on the Statute Book.

KJ LUCAS, Woodstock