'The prospect of the Legal Services Bill as currently drafted keeps me awake at night.'

Law Society President Fiona Woolf on her nightmares



'Much as I'd like to debate legal aid with the Lord Chancellor, I don't think my blood pressure could stand it.'

South London solicitor David Taylor quizzes Lord Falconer



'Hands up... oh, we all know what they're going to say. One of the daftest questions I've asked in ages.'

Panel discussion host John Stapleton abandons a straw poll on whether the government should contribute to the cost of the new regulatory regime for lawyers



'My anxiety about this conversation - and it is a profound anxiety - is that everyone in this room seems to think the only answer is more money and I know there is no more money.'

Lord Falconer gets to the legal aid nub



'I gave up smoking and legal aid years ago and have been feeling much better ever since.'

Law Society Council member Michael Orton-Jones



'When the Lord Chancellor goes on holiday, the bar have sufficient resources to make sure he bumps into the right company.'

A delegate from Norfolk senses conspiracy in the air



'You should beware of the members of staff who are BOPO. That's brassed-off, passed-over.'

Steve Williams of ACAS on the dangers of age discrimination



'I do caution against being paid by the inch, but it does happen.'

City of London Law Society chairman David McIntosh recalls a case in which his fees were related to the thickness of the files on his desk, when his opponent did not realise there were unrelated files in the pile