The legal profession is paying the price for having bought into the misconceived legal aid 'franchising' project (see [2003] Gazette, 9 October, 1).

Abstention from signing criminal contracts until the groups representing defence solicitors give them the go-ahead is akin to prisoners seeking an adjustment in the tightness of their handcuffs.

The profession's collective leadership ought instead to advise the government that handcuffs are not an option.

No variant of the existing criminal contract should be entertained.

That principled stand should be explained on the basis that it is the role of the Law Society to set and maintain professional standards, and not, with respect to them, the Legal Services Commission or the government of the day.

So far as legal aid 'gravy trains' are concerned, neither this government nor the profession is in a position to throw stones.

Each endorsed the reverse-linking of police station and magistrates' court rotas, thereby creating local advice monopolies and doubtless increased fee income for duty solicitors on such publicly funded schemes.

Professional independence is non-negotiable; to preserve it for future generations we need to think the unthinkable and go back to the drawing board.

Alexander McCulloch, solicitor, Haywards Heath, West Sussex