Congratulations to the Legal Services Commission (LSC) for a masterful attempt at press diversion last week. The press release announcing publication of research into the impact of introducing competitive tendering on ethnic minority law firms in London - which, in fairness, it commissioned - managed to waffle on for a page and a half about how important the work was and some of the (pretty uncontentious) actions the LSC will take, such as looking at how 'to bridge the gaps in data identified'. In the second paragraph, the LSC expressed its pleasure that the researchers 'have acknowledged that the LSC takes its responsibilities under race relations legislation very seriously'. Some journalists may have given up at that point in the face of what sounds like a rather dull report, in which case they would have missed one of its very first (and pretty contentious) conclusions - namely that competitive tendering would have a 'disproportionate and adverse impact' on this group of solicitors. Of course, the London plans have gone out the window post-Carter, but would not a little bit of contrition - or even just recognition of this finding - on the part of the LSC have gone amiss as it continues to take its responsibilities under race relations legislation very seriously?