It is nice to learn that the new Law Officer double-act of Baroness Scotland and Vera Baird are so excited about their 'policy role' (see [2007] Gazette, 25 October, 16).


They are 'keen to develop innovative ways to enable access to justice for those less able to seek justice themselves' and are 'both totally devoted to the issues in relation to vulnerable people, domestic violence, sexual assault, vulnerability of children, mental health'.



But how are these laudable interests to be advanced? An answer is that there is 'an opportunity for all of us (that is, them and the legal profession as a whole) to make a real contribution to the communities in which we live' by doing pro bono work or 'work in the community or to improve the system'.



Please note there is not a whisper about legal aid in this policy excitement. The legal aid which enables the women who are victims of domestic violence to get the injunction, their children to be represented and for the rights of mentally ill people to be protected. Is legal aid so unexciting to be of no interest any more in the corridors of power?



Anthony Wooding, Kerseys, Ipswich