Paying peanuts

The call by Harriet Harman for all lawyers to undertake pro-bono work may be designed to enhance the legal profession's image (see [2002] Gazette, 10 January, 1).Most of us would like to do charitable works.

However, the suggestion gives the game away as far as the government's attitude to the trade is concerned.

Nobody treats us as professionals any longer.It seems that while the government seeks to pay us peanuts for legal aid work, it now wants us to forgo even the peanuts.The only way in which publicly funded criminal defence service lawyers can make ends meet these days is to work all hours God sends.

That is to the detriment of our health, personal and family lives.NV Wright, Pinders Solicitors, Derby