David Lammy's comment article states clearly that there are improvements to be made on the civil justice side as part of the legal aid review (see [2004] Gazette, 9 December, 12). He writes: 'For example, poor performance by public bodies creates problems for citizens that legal aid has to fund.'


I think everyone would agree with that clear statement. However, he correctly goes on to state 'and for the poorest, publicly funded general and legal advice services provide a means for upholding their rights and enforcing the responsibilities of others'.


Unfortunately, generally legal aid these days is truly only available 'to the poorest'. That means that virtually the whole of the public are denied access to the courts through the non-availability of civil legal aid.



Alan Meyer, Bircham Dyson Bell, London