Reading solicitors cite independence as motive for strike ; ;Duty solicitors in Reading this week announced that they were pressing ahead with a 24-hour strike against criminal contracting.

;From 6pm on 18 December, all duty solicitors will refuse calls to attend police stations or to attend court.

;The strike follows earlier threats of action by duty solicitors in other areas which were called off last month when the Legal Services Commission (LSC) agreed to publish remuneration rates and continue discussions on the contract.

;Jan Davies of Reading Solicitors Chambers said their concerns were not just about the money.

There are also worries about the loss of independence, the LSC telling us how to run cases, and client confidentiality.

;John Dexter, a partner at Dexter Montague & Partners, said he was concerned that low pay would force firms out of criminal work.

and lead to the quality of service being ;undermined.

;Sue Allen