I am a solicitor specialising in mental health law. Last week a hospital administrator asked me to represent a patient. It became apparent that the patient did not want me to represent her but wanted to use the solicitor who has represented her for the last seven years. This solicitor cannot represent the patient because the Legal Services Commission has refused to give her any more matter starts until the new contracts begin in October.

This is a complex forensic case where the patient is subject to a restriction order. She was detained recently because she was suicidal and, when I saw her, the unavailability of her regular solicitor considerably added to her distress.

In order to properly represent this patient I will have to adjourn her forthcoming hearing while I familiarise myself with her case. The patient will have to recount her background history to me, increasing her distress to an unacceptable level and the overall costs of the case will be vastly increased. This seriously disadvantages the provider, the patient and the tax payer.

Perhaps the LSC could explain who is benefiting from this policy?

Karen Wolton , Wolton & Co, Deal, Kent