As a junior solicitor (and non-practising barrister) it is sad that I, along with many of my colleagues, have said goodbye to publicly funded work.

The law school ideal of helping those in need could not be further from the truth. In a recent care case I spent seven hours at court, which included only 30 minutes in front of the judge and the same consulting with my client. All of this at the expense of the public purse.

The system is highly inefficient and does require streamlining. Unfortunately, the government changes are misguided and will result in further, longer delays as the courts referee disputes between litigants in person.

John Nee, Rochester, Kent