'They would say that, wouldn't they?' is the correct response to the Ministry of Justice's survey that litigants are worried more about stress and time than cost. What was the interviewee profile? Legally aided? If so, why should they worry about cost?


My 85-year-old widow who shattered a joint in a tripping accident for which there is no proper defence, but in respect of which a large insurer has flouted the protocol period, is worried about all these things. No legal aid for her. But there is a bundle of frustration. A lack of abundant funds denies her access to justice.



Remember that happy phrase as our clients are progressively turned away and with it comes a cynically planned collapse of the rule of law. That is the 'full cost' we are looking at.



Lindsay Keith, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex