Sir, – The Government has decided that, in cases where free legal aid is granted, defence counsels’ fees should be cut by 10 per cent in order to save taxpayers money “Barristers seek to postpone proposed fee cuts”, Home News, July 18th).
Defence counsels are so irate that they are threatening to form a special union to fight this, claiming that this gives prosecution counsels, who are also paid by the taxpayer, an unfair advantage. Surely the solution is obvious? Cut the fees of prosecuting counsel by 10 per cent also, thus re-levelling the playing pitch and saving the taxpayer even more money! – Yours, etc,