The exchange between Richard Miller and Geoff Mountjoy highlights the essential failings in the Legal Services Commission's (LSC) destruction of legal aid - a lack of early, meaningful, open dialogue.


Unfortunately, the LSC has decided it knows best and that solicitors' views are only valid in relation to how we arrive at the destination. We are not consulted about the route to be taken, the vehicle to be used, the speed of travel, nor upon the destination - only about how we arrive at the destination (and then we are asked at the last minute).



Is it any wonder that solicitors object strongly to the LSC's destruction of legal aid and to the often patronising comments of 'self-interest' and how dealing with change is 'challenging'?



How about proper, open, early dialogue linked into reforms of the justice systems so that legal aid and the justice systems are sustainable? Let's plan real change together.



Michael Robinson, Emmersons, Sunderland