I write in response to Richard Bell's assertion that 'senior-grade solicitors can assist counsel in a more proactive and beneficial way than lower-grade solicitors who leave counsel to do everything' (see [2006] Gazette, 5 January, 8).


For Mr Bell's benefit I would like to clarify that neither I, a grade-three solicitor conducting complex, multi-track clinical negligence litigation, nor the dozen or so other grade-three solicitors within my division, are so incompetent as to need to 'leave counsel to do everything'.


Andrea Mulligan, Hill Dickinson, Liverpool