Do we have any sympathy with the comments of the solicitor judge whose name was withheld on request, bemoaning the changes to the pension regime for the judiciary? I think not.

Perhaps he would like to spend some time living in the real world and getting back in touch with the profession at grassroots, because he is totally out of touch with what has been happening in private practice over the last four years. He should count himself lucky to have the pension he is going to get and the job security I am sure he enjoys, rather than expecting sympathy because he may have to work a bit longer to get a bit less in retirement.

I am nearing retirement age after a lifetime in private practice and I consider myself to be one of the lucky ones. How young equity partners in well-run and respected firms throughout the country are going to be able to make decent retirement provisions

I simply do not know.

Finally, perhaps one would have more sympathy for the views of the learned judge if he was prepared to stand up and be counted. A ‘lifetime appointment’? Get real.

Richard Hutchings, senior partner, Kitsons, Torquay