06-22-2012, 08:39 AM
Ah! Lawyers...They are a particular case. It must not be, that only the children of the well-off can get into the profession. But there is something wrong with the whole set-up --- especially, when you bear in mind the obvious desirability of bringing down legal costs. Why are they so high? Many years ago, I read an article in the 'Solicitors' Journal' -a kind of trade paper - in which the writer bragged about the success they had had in restricting entrance to the profession. Because of this, the public, and the courts, had to accept higher and higher hourly rates. Now a great many people obtain an Llb degree from University, but this qualifies them for nothing. Only those -a minority -- who go on to get professional training, eventually qualify as Solicitors or Barristers. What if the state demanded that anyone offering a degree must make it so that when the student left, they were ready to practice? Perhaps longer courses, perhaps fewer students--but I'd eat my arse if it did not result in more qualified lawyers, and less extravagant costs. It would still be a highly attractive profession, but at a time when the government is cutting back on legal aid, it would be of great help to those at the bottom--in fact everyone. The very top men would command exactly the same rates as they now do.
Was that me ranting? My stars!
Was that me ranting? My stars!