Lucy Winskell is absolutely right in her recent comment article, and as the immediate past chairwoman of the Law Society's international human rights committee she should know (see (2006) Gazette, 20 July. 15). Any professional body that fails to concern itself fearlessly and publicly with such issues has a limited shelf-life as an organisation deserving of attention and respect.


As a profession, we must rise above the siren voices pressing for a cost-benefit analysis over vigorous defences of the rule of law and common decency both domestically and abroad. In truth, there is no valid distinction any longer to be made between the home front and abroad in today's global village. The sums entailed in continuing these activities are insignificant in overall terms. The damage to the brand of solicitor in abandoning this principled work would be incalculable.



Malcolm Fowler, Law Society Council member for Birmingham and District and a member of the Society's international human rights committee