Show of force

I am delighted to see that at last a degree of 'intestinal fortitude' appears to have entered the souls of the profession's leaders.Perhaps at long last it is realised that the only thing that a government of any complexion will understand is a threat of action.

The Law Society should immediately throw its total weight behind this and indicate that it will regard it as unacceptable for any solicitor to participate in any publicly funded work during the week of 3 July and to include criminal solicitors.

There is no purpose whatever unless we are united.

If we do not unite, then doubtless we shall deserve what we get.How many solicitors will be in existence in 12 months' time is arguable; franchising is a total nonsense and simply an action designed to increase the empire for certain persons in the former Legal Aid Board although, of course, with the virtual destruction of legal aid, that may not be of the significance that it was once.

Paul Tilden, Paul Tilden & Hill, Plymouth