I was surprised you did not pick up the enormity of what is proposed by the Department for Constitutional Affairs in piloting fixed fees for lawyers advising parents before proceedings to take children into care reach the courts.

Lawyers would be the only professionals in the process being paid on a 'piece-work' basis. Under the proposed protocol, this work may he substantial and open ended.


The only proper resourcing can be on the basis of work done, not fixed fee. Otherwise skilled child-care lawyers will be in an impossible conflict between performing their professional skills and working for nothing once the fixed fee is exhausted.


The department knows how to get a bargain. What next? Social workers paid by number of files opened and closed? Judges paid by number of orders made and judgments delivered?


John Barrow, Days Solicitors, Maidstone