A lawyer’s job

SIR – Simon Heffer (Comment, April 1) is right that the decision made by the Blair government that a non-lawyer could be Lord Chancellor was a mistake; those less charitable might consider that the decision was implemented by virtue of a badly drafted and ill-thought out piece of legislation, the main purpose of which was to dispense with the services of the then Lord Chancellor, Lord Irvine.

Mr Heffer errs, however, in limiting his preferred choice to “an experienced barrister”. Solicitors have always have been equally qualified for the role. It is to be hoped that the appointment of a solicitor, David Gauke, will establish a welcome precedent. Kevin Martin

Former President, The Law Society Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire