I should like to correct a general misconception referred to in your recent article, 'An immature market' (see [2004] Gazette, 16 April, 20) - namely that the Young Solicitors Group does not represent mature entrants to the profession.

This simply is not correct.

Despite the name, the Young Solicitors Group represents all solicitors qualified in England and Wales during their first ten years of practice, irrespective of age, provided they are not partners of the firm or directors of the business for which they work.

A similar thing is true of the Trainee Solicitors Group, which represents students and trainees of all ages - mature students included.

As regards the comment on our lobbying, I can confirm the issue of access to the profession for mature students was one of a number of matters we raised in our discussions with the government and Legal Services Commission.

It also underpinned our recent response to the Law Society's second consultation on a new training framework.

Adrian Barham, chairman, Young Solicitors Group