Working for Nothing

Is the juxtaposition of the main headline - 'Demoralised firms shun legal aid work' - with the second headline - 'Harman: all lawyers should do pro bono work' - coincidental? (see [2002] Gazette, 10 January, 1).

Certainly the Solicitor-General's proclamation would resolve legal aid difficulties.

Instead of an ever-diminishing number of lawyers doing legal aid work at absolutely unprofitable rates, all lawyers would be compelled to do such work for nothing.

Russell Graham, Zermansky & Partners, Leeds