Those of us of a certain age will remember 'Green' forms. They covered legal advice and meant that virtually anyone could get advice on anything, from any solicitor, if they could not pay for it. You filled in the client’s means on the front and you had something called a keycard which I think was pink or lilac to work out if they were entitled to free advice.

At the end of case you wrote brief details of the work done and sent them off every month with a consolidated claim form, which was a buff yellow (how colourful the law was!), listing all the green forms.

You had to keep a copy of them as the Legal Aid Board would just pay you the total. Sometimes they would reject one or several and not tell you which. You had to work out with the firm’s bookkeeper which had been paid and which had not. Hours of harmless fun. My point is that specialisation has been a good thing because the Legal Services Commission wants value for money but it may have gone too far. Many legal aid areas are highly technical and need lawyers who know the ropes. The clients are often vulnerable. Basic advice usually meant a few letters and meetings.

However, the profession has lost the ability to give basic advice to people who need it and cannot pay for it. This is particularly clear in areas like where I practise such as small market towns with limited numbers of lawyers who offer legal aid. Specialists are few and far between. Most clients struggle to come from the streets around Aylesbury let alone are willing to get the bus to Luton or Oxford to get specialist help.

The not-for-profit sector has not been able to bridge this gap. They are facing similar funding cuts to lawyers. There are less benefit, housing and debt advisers. I was at a hearing recently in the West Midlands and the person before the tribunal had some debt problems. Nothing serious to you or me, except they were very vulnerable and demands from debt collectors are frightening.

It just needed a few letters and the help to complete a budget form. When I asked about debt advisors or any advisors the social worker looked blank and explained there were none.

So bring back the green form. I do not even care what colour it is this time.

David Pickup is a partner in Aylesbury based Pickup & Scott