Law Society’s Gazette, 7 June 1972

Letters to the editor

‘Friends’ – check your child is not given a copyAt a time when just about everything of value and of decent and honest endeavour is being eroded away, not least in respect of our profession, I feel compelled to write to ask whether you are aware that there is a magazine known as Friends, a most subversive document which is being circulated in schools.

I am appalled to find that this is a document which is finding its way into schools by underground methods. It is a newspaper roughly the size of the Daily Mail and gives advice to school children on how they should guard themselves against various members of the community such as the police, doctors and the legal profession.

In speaking of the legal profession, the document contains a warning message that when charged with a criminal offence, readers should not go to see a solicitor as he will undoubtedly quickly agree with the prosecution in order to dispose of the case as rapidly as possible so that he can get home to watch ‘Crossroads’.

Where is it all going to end?T G Dickinson, Leamington Spa

Law Society’s Gazette, 14 June 1972

The cafeteria system at the Law SocietyOn Monday 1 May I had my first experience of the new cafeteria system at the dining room of the Law Society and I must write to protest at the deterioration in the service provided.

For my lunch, I selected soup, followed by plaice, boiled potatoes and sprouts. The soup was good, though it could have been hotter. The fish and the potatoes were both lukewarm and the sprouts were cold and inedible.

There was no soup spoon and I had to use the spoon provided for the sweet. Then there was no fish knife and fork provided so I had to use the ordinary knife and fork.

It is very sad to see how low a standard appears to be acceptable to members, but perhaps it is understandable when I tell you that one lady member, and quite presentable looking, thought the occasion suitable to wear a headscarf and mackintosh.Perhaps, after all, members are getting what they deserve.K G S Llewellyn, Bournemouth

Judges under the microscopeI am confident that the overwhelming number of lawyers after due consideration will dismiss with contempt the idea of a complaints tribunal with power to suspend or remove a judge. I have had my fair share of injustice from the judicial bench but not for one moment would I lend my voice to a proposal which would put in jeopardy a legal system which has been and is the bulwark of our liberties.

There is however room for improvement. We have seen and know of judges who behave arrogantly and offensively vis a vis lawyers and witnesses with impunity. There is a real need for redress. The judicious choice of our judges with a special eye for their human qualities may well be the most promising remedy.Walter Bluhm, London WC1