Law Society’s Gazette, 29 May 1991

Letters to the editor – Out of touch

I am not a greedy, lazy or unreasonable man. Nor am I militant in my views.

On the contrary, I am rather a quiet, uncomplicated sort of chap. However, this worm is beginning to turn.

I came into the profession 15 or so years ago in the naïve hope I could pursue a worthwhile and rewarding career.

The hope has become more and more naïve each year, largely due to the additional pressures and restraints that are being placed on us, with apparently no recognition that we have only a finite amount of time and resources available.

The public’s view of solicitors, and to some extent the Law Society’s view, is totally out of step with reality.

I am sure the public thinks we do very little that is worthwhile and then, having done that, we proceed to write out a bill to suit ourselves.

We all know this is not true, but what we must remember is that it is public opinion that eventually shapes and governs our structure.

We hear much of other professions, such as doctors, teachers, nurses and the police, who have successfully persuaded the public and their employees that they are hardworking, that their jobs are demanding and that there comes a point when no more can be asked of them without increased resources.

Have we as a profession seriously tried to explain our situation to the public? I think not.

Perhaps we are all a bit too proud to admit the pressures are becoming untenable. Perhaps it is this reluctance in the past that has allowed these pressures to be fuelled.

Whatever the reason, I do not believe we should allow them to continue to mount.

L Thorne, Dorchester

Law Society’s Gazette, May 1971

Letter to the editor

… spurred on by Mr D. R. H. Major’s cri de coeur (February) on the bastardisation of his favourite Latin tags, I am reminded that I once wrote to a Materfamilias in Godalming about the possibility of digs for my final course.

I duly received a letter regretting they could not accommodate me owing to the impending arrival of the new ‘au pere’. Lucky old dad!

T. P. Fitzpatrick, London N1