It is bad enough (although not surprising) that so many law firms are bailing out of publicly funded work.

What makes the situation worse is knowing that these firms will never be enticed back into the system in future.

Highly skilled and hitherto dedicated professionals will be lost for ever to those in our community who most need their services, namely the poor and the vulnerable.

Once these firms have enjoyed the unusual experience of being properly paid for doing privately funded work, without having to put up with the Legal Services Commission looking over their shoulders all the time, what is the likelihood of them ever gearing up to do publicly funded work again?

None, in my view, unless, perhaps, publicly funded rates of pay are increased threefold.

Perhaps, after 27 years in practice, worrying about others before myself has become an unavoidable habit.

Robin Davis, KE Davis & Sons, Hayes, Middlesex