Advocacy Backing


I read with great dismay Guy Gosheron's letter deploring welcome proposals for the admission of all solicitors to the higher courts (see [2007] Gazette, 4 January, 7).



I admit I use the phrase 'advocate' on my letterhead - purely for what commercial benefit it might yield. Otherwise I look forward very much to the day I can drop its usage, when we are all full advocates on admission.



Our legal training is on an equal footing to barristers - if not more thorough. Advocacy skills are acquired largely through experience. As to the greater competence alleged to be possessed by barristers generally, I have to disagree based on my experience. No offence to the Solicitors Association of Higher Rights Advocates, but I have never joined it as I feel the legal profession is divided once too much already. I do not like the idea of some special class. Lawyers in this country would be much stronger on legal aid and human rights as a united profession. Lawyers should be able to move freely between chambers and offices as suits their careers.



With Lord Carter advancing a single fee to cover advocacy and litigation for Crown Court cases, very close co-operation will be necessary. Removing the obstacles to willing and competent solicitors appearing in the higher courts is definitely a step in the right direction and should have happened years ago.



Lionel Blackman, Lionel Blackman Solicitors, Epsom, Surrey