I read with increasing alarm and shame of the relentless increase in court fees brought about by this government (see [2005] Gazette, 29 September, 3). Courts are to recover all their costs. Heaven forbid that they should be accountable for their efficiency and provision of good service.

The provision of justice and dispute resolution is a fundamental right of a civilised society - and people who interfere with that right do so at their peril. I simply do not understand why, if they are so concerned about the rising cost of the Court Service, this government introduced the Civil Procedure Rules, with all the extra responsibilities placed on the courts when they so obviously cannot take on those responsibilities and the costs are not to be borne by the state.


I also do not understand why the professional body to which I belong seems to make so little noise about this.


Neil Spurrier, London