As a practising barrister (and former solicitor), I strongly disagree with Tim Dutton QC (pictured), chairman of the bar, who supports direct access by lay people to counsel.

It can work for a tiny minority who can marshal documents and evidence, write and speak coherently, and recognise that counsel cannot fulfil the functions of a solicitor. Sadly, not many lay people can do this. Like many other barristers, I get pleas from lay people who are misled by proposals such as this. It is wrong.

Let us get back to the recent past, when solicitors and counsel recognised their limitations. In the interest of clients, the few should abandon this absurd effort to be all things to all people.

Stanley Best Barnstaple Chambers, Winkleigh, Devon