Proper justice

Neil Mackenzie’s operatic song of praise for how the Faculty of Advocates facilitates the training of advocates in Scotland is reflective of the periodic propaganda produced by the Faculty and the Law Society of Scotland to persuade a sceptical laity that only the selfless input of lawyers can produce effective access to justice (Scotsman, 11 March).

Mr Mackenzie proudly informs us that “there has always been a training culture at the Faulty as it seeks to uphold values of: a commitment to excellence; a commitment to the noblest ideals of professional conduct; and,

above all, a commitment to justice for all in our society”.

Surprisingly, he failed to mention the fact that more than a few pompous advocates regularly subvert those lofty commitments by peddling absurd advice and untenable opinions – thereby ruining, at great expense, their clients’ cases.

Consequently, many clients remain convinced that effective access to justice would be greatly enhanced if solicitors, advocates and QCS were removed from the process. In response to the rapid development of artificial intelligence, many experts have speculated that lawyers could soon be replaced by ultra-efficient machines. If true, access to real justice in Scotland, uncontaminated by the input of lawyers, would become a real, and very welcome possibility.

THOMAS CROOKS

Dundas Street, Edinburgh