19 MARCH 1983, Page 21

Restrictive practice

Sir: Simon Courtauld (Notebook, 12 March) rightly laments the failure of governments which appoint Royal Commis- sions and then ignore the outcome. The British Legal Association recommended to the Royal Commission on Legal Services that dual practice — founded on the Scot- tish system of justice — should be im- plemented here to make better use of the courts and of lawyers. It met with opposi- tion from barristers, who would lose status and income, and in consequence the public still have to pay more for some High Court civil legal work which could be dealt with by solicitors in more local courts.

Stanley Best

British Legal Association 116 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent