QUESTION OF FEES I was sad to read recently in the Gazette there is once again serious concern at the Bar over the non-payment, or late payment, of counsel's fees by solicitors in private cases (see [2001] Gazette, 1 February, 4).

Few things are more calculated to sully the reputation of the solicitors' branch of the profession and, in my innocence, I thought these issues had been resolved many years ago.

The worst feature of this blatant cynicism is that it is so unnecessary.

I have never worked at, or been a partner in, any firm which did not adhere to the cardinal rule that counsel's fees in private cases must be obtained from the client prior to briefing counsel, so that the solicitor does not have to fulfil the personal requirement of him that he pay counsel's fees out of his own pocket, or out of office funds.

The obligation upon solicitors to pay counsel's fees is so strong both legally and morally, bearing in mind that the Bar does not possess the normal means of redress, that I am still bewildered that this practice continues.

RG Le Pla, Simpson Duxbury, Bradford