Fair PlayThere is an obligation on the LSC to provide a criminal defence service.

Steve Orchard writes to state that from 2 April 2001 'only firms which sign the contract will be able to undertake any new criminal defence work' under legal aid (see [2001] Gazette, 25 January, 18).

I am sure that Mr Orchard must be aware of the growing numbers of solicitors who have signed declarations in support of the advice given by the Law Society.

They have signed undertakings with each other that they will not sign the contract at present.

The position, as I understand it, is that the contract is still being negotiated.

Mr Orchard's comments are inappropriate and unhelpful when the LSC is talking about a partnership between itself and solicitors for the future.

And his letter fails totally to deal with one point.

Mr Orchard, can you tell us how you propose to deliver criminal defence services to the public after 2 April unless you offer to us a contract that is fair in all its terms?I can be persuaded to sign a fair contract, but I will not be bullied into signing an unfair one.

What are you going to do on 2 April if you haven't come up with a draft contract that persuades us that we are safe to sign it? John Smith, solicitor, Carlisle