The standing quarrel between Solicitors and Barristers made itself visible
in Parliament on Wednesday, when Mr. Norwood moved the second reading of his Bill giving Counsel the right to sue for their fees, and suitors the right to punish them for mis- conducting or neglecting their cases. This Bill would place the bar- risters in the position of solicitors in this respect, and was resisted on the ground that the irresponsibility of the Bar was essential to the free conduct of suits. Much was said of barristers taking heavy fees to conduct suits to which they could not attend, and much of the independence of the Bar, but the real argu- ments pro and con were passed over. There can be little doubt that, in the interest of suitors, the two branches e the profession ought to be united, so securing, at less .expense, more learned lawyers and more practical counsel, but it is not yet decided that the change would improve either the Judi- ciary or the Courts. The public would have cheaper and better advice, but might have worse Judges, and lose a valuable reser- voir of politicians. We do not ourselves think those consequences would follow, but the country is unconvinced, and while it is unconvinced, the Bar will settle its own privileges.
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