Paying the bills

Lord Justice of Appeal, Sir Andrew Leggatt, expressly encourages more pro bono work from lawyers (see [2001] Gazette, 23 August, 3).At our firm today we had a problem with our drains.

A man came to sort out the problem and, as he was leaving, said that his invoice would be sent within the next few days.

He expects to be paid.

A few days ago our hot water pump packed up so we got a plumber out who fixed it.

He expects to be paid.

We currently have IT consultants on site who are installing computers.

They expect to be paid.

At York Races, I put a 5 bet on a horse to win.

The horse withdrew without going under starter's orders and I was told I would lose 10 pence in the pound to the bookie for an administration fee.

Even the bookie expected to be paid.Indeed, all of the above expected to be paid for the services they had rendered, but lawyers...

no.

Don't pay the lawyers.JR Whittingslow, Roscoes, Preston