We are rightly concerned about the distress Wonga has brought to vulnerable people who have taken out payday loans, cannot afford to repay them and then receive what appear to be threatening letters from members of our profession.
We rightly think that is wrong and should be dealt with robustly. But otherwise, we all seem quite comfortable that such letters are written and would be absolutely fine if they were actually written by qualified solicitors. In my pro bono work, I meet many such vulnerable people desperately seeking help to protect them and their disabled children from genuine solicitors acting as debt collectors, often using menacing language.
We need to try and avoid a double standard here.
Christopher Digby-Bell, deputy chairman, Palmer Capital, London W1
