Richard Bell maintains that senior-grade solicitors can assist counsel in a more proactive way than lower-grade solicitors who leave counsel to do everything (see [2006] Gazette, 5 January, 8).

Perhaps when he was a 'lower grade' solicitor he left counsel to 'do everything'. However, as a grade C solicitor working among others counted as 'lower grade' solicitors, I have to say that his assumption is mistaken. Without wishing to sound offended or offending, perhaps he ought to discourage an over-reliance on counsel in his firm, rather than casting his disparaging comments any wider.


Fiona Belgian, Thompsons, Newcastle upon Tyne