COUNTING FOR NOTHING As a solicitor of some 40 years' standing how sad it is to see that Sean Stocks should be forced to leave this country because of the low rates of renumeration (see [2001] Gazette, 5 January, 13).I do not blame any person for taking his approach because the future for the profession and particularly its younger members is bleak to say the least.

Successive governments have demeaned all professional qualifications - not only that of solicitor - to the point where it does raise the question: what is the point of qualifying in this country when expertise seems to count for nothing?Suttons Commercial Chambers, Bishop Auckland, County Durham