I draw attention to a particular danger that could result from the implementation of Sir David Clementi's report - the commercialisation of the profession. Of course, the somewhat inelegant expression I have just used is an oxymoron, although it seems that the Law Society and its chief executive are insufficiently aware of this.


For example, the Law Society recently created a consumer complaints service and in her recent column (see [2004] Gazette, 17 December, 10) the chief executive referred to those who use the services of a solicitor as 'customers'.



I urge that we remain a profession so that those who use our services can properly be described as 'clients' and there is recognition of our overriding duty to the court, to the rule of law and to society generally - duties that can conflict with commercial considerations.



JM McKean, McKean & Roberts, Guernsey