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I was up at 3.30am because I couldn't sleep. But I think your response makes some fair points.

I could add then, that part of the cost problem is having to wait around court all day. It's costing you all a lot of money/time. And why should you. Like above Gentleman states, a plumber wouldn't book with you at 9am, then sit waiting 4 hours for you to show him to the leak, for the same fee.

If the Government want you to work at lower rates, it is time that the courts you use worked properly and on time.

Perhaps you could accept lower hearing fees provided the hearing started within 15 minutes of the correct time. Anything longer and you would be forced to add a lost time charge at your normal rate, to pay for the cost of not being able to complete other work.

This would not be asking anything unreasonable. Litigants in person are slowing the courts, absolutely, so the Government can either pay with the left hand or if they are making you late, they can build more courts or facilities and pay with their right.

There are hundreds more ways of raising money like this. I'm not suggesting you sacrifice professional integrity. It's like comparing Mcdonalds to the Ritz; they both sell food, but who makes more money.

I helped a friend with a possession order for his rental place. He was quoted £1500 by local solicitor. I downloaded the forms from courts site, put notice to quit through tenants door, went to the hearing with my friend and got the possession order. Prob took 4 hrs total. Now your not telling me that that sort of thing can't be done on a fixed fee basis. You could have had the office junior legal person thingumy to sort that. Simply say that for a basic process here's the fee. If there's any disputes or probs of whatever nature (list examples) a further fee is chargeable.

What about non-mols, how many Women would like one but not sure about them. Contact orders for dads, non fault agreed divorces etc etc etc. Tons of stuff that lends itself to basic fees and volume basis by junior staff. Any complications more than provided for in fee then client moves on to the next fee bracket and another member of staff or goes it alone?

And this rated insurer thing is killing things too. Don't Solicitors have a recognised Union or is it just the Law Society? They don't seem to do much for you all