Familiar ringI read with interest the recent article 'QC liable for costs' (see [2000] Gazette, 30 November, 9).

The cries of 'judging the conduct of counsel who are unable to defend themselves for reasons of client confidentiality and legal professional privilege' and 'did not get a fair trial' have a familiar ring.

Solicitor-advocates who were unfortunate over the years to have been subject to personal orders by judges - who in their younger days were barristers - know all about it.Russell Graham, Zermansky & Partners, Leeds