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This is the most ridiculous suggestion I have ever heard. The profession has been undermined by the constant attacks by government which have been deliberately designed to do so, so we get no public support when we complain that we are getting less money than a plumber for legally aided work.

All law is not the same - as a housing solicitor I know nothing about tax or commercial litigation. Why would one of the city boys be able to advise my client's or help them in any way. They are much more likely to be negligent than give any useful help. Ultimately we are limited to advising on our own areas of expertise - but in crime isn't that what legal aid is for. Oh I know I'm sure the city boys will be prepared to do a multi billion merger and acquisition for free just to make sure they have enough pro bono hours.

For those who do legally aided work - frankly we are doing it for free anyway as its subsidised by our private client matters or stuff we recover inter partes. And we are still castigated as "fat cats".

Mandatory mediation in criminal matters - ha ha ha ha - how divorced from reality are these people.

The law is a business. If you don't treat it as such you go bankrupt. There is no safety net - they just take your house.