Law Society’s Gazette, November 1970

Letters to the editor

More militancy please!It was reported on 9 October that, amongst others, the teachers, police, and senior doctors are, through their associations, all demanding pay rises of 30% or more.

Is it not time that solicitors and their organisations also developed some militancy? Is it not also more than time that we put an end to the semi-charitable status of legal aid, and insisted on proper remuneration to maintain reasonable standards of service?Alan Paterson, London NW5

Legal Aid and that Practising CertificateSo the Law Society will be increasing the cost of our practising certificates to £20 this November… Perhaps the time has come for a very simple form of strike action by the entire profession, in that every single solicitor should this year tender for his practising certificate the same fee (£11) as he paid last year and no more.

If, as a result of this, we find that we are denied our practising certificates, then at least we are united in something, and what sanctions could there be against an entire profession?G Murray Maclean, Kingston upon Thames, Surrey

Horrors at The Law Society’s HallAfter weeks of anticipation, the scaffolding in the Common Room has been removed and has revealed a horror of which the only good thing that can be said is that one is not forced to look up at the ceiling…

I once described the painting of The Law Society’s iron columns as more befitting a house of ill-fame than the headquarters of a professional body. Words fail me to describe the aesthetic devastation of the new ceiling.S P Pyke, London WC2

Mr Paul Simes, Secretary, Establishments and Services, replies: …Whilst I do include the word ‘Establishment’ in my title, I regret I am quite unable to say what does, or does not, befit a house of ill-fame.