Salary worry

I am puzzled at the comments by Karen Mackay (see [2000] Gazette, 5 October, 18).

I run a relatively large (for the area) criminal legal aid practice.

I certainly do not have a monopoly and have to compete in the open market place with any other firm wishing to provide this service.

It is perhaps inaccurate to suggest that private practice seeks to retain a monopoly when the reality is that the services are delivered by a large number of competing practices.

I am also puzzled at the suggestion that the profession is in some way opposed to change.

For better or worse, the criminal profession has faced a series of annual changes, some of which, as practitioners are aware, are particularly far-reaching, and we anticipate having to endure the same changes for every further year that we can remain in practice.

Resistance to change for change's sake should not be equated to a general inability to adapt.

Since the heady days of the opposition to the implementation of fixed fees, criminal practitioners have shown nationwide a remarkable ability to adapt to change and to continue delivering services for their clients.

I have no philosophical objection at all to a salaried defender service.

I simply wonder at the necessity for such a considerable expense, when the offices that will be set up are going to replicate private practice, will be doing the same work, will have to vie for the same clients and compete in the same market place.

In all respects what is proposed is simply a differently funded and managed delivery of a service private practitioners supply.

The limitation on funding, salaries and resources are not likely to have any major effect to cure the deficiencies highlighted in the criticisms made of private practice.

The same quality standards will apply to all.

Ultimately I fear that a salaried service will end up suffering the same fate as private practice.

If it is going to be under- funded and neglected year on year out, quality, motivation and recruitment will suffer.

Stephen Nunn, Stephens & Scown, Exeter, Devon