3 MARCH 1979, Page 17

Legal advice

Sir: Christine Verity's stimulating review (Private bar', 3 February), which I have only belatedly read, prompts me to make one observation regarding the public image of the lawyer. Having been born and marfled into the legal profession I have inevitably known many lawyers, most of whom 1 have greatly liked and respected. But from Whichever branch of the profession they come, there is one invariable characteristic. When asked for advice, they will always tell You what you can't do, never what you can. Margaret Sachs VValland Oast, Wad hurst, Sussex