CHARLES BUCKLEY of Garstangs maintains that no competent firm of solicitors is likely to undertake complex fraud cases at the highest allowable rate of pounds 108 an hour proposed by the Lord Chancellor ('Cap on legal aid may deny Maxwells proper defence', Business, 31 January).
In fact, there are several firms in Newcastle upon Tyne which have the specialist teams for such litigation, without the high overheads of central London firms. The Lord Chancellor's proposals may achieve some good if they prevent the absurdity of the public purse paying for a central London firm of solicitors already being paid an 'enhanced' rate to work on a fraud trial on Teesside when firms in the region are competent to undertake the work at the proposed rates.
I H Collinson
Newcastle upon Tyne
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