Both barristers and solicitors at the criminal bar are average and why should they be anything else? They don't earn enough to spend hours going through briefs. But the bar has shown itself up to be what it always was, a pompous arrogant profession with a sell by date.

N, London, UK

As a lawyer who practices in the commercial sphere, I must say that average standards in the criminal courts are perceived by commercial practitioners as being much much lower. There are excellent criminal barristers AND solicitors but most are appalling and simply don't prepare well - sorry CBA!

FA, London,

I am a retired police officer and a regular at court. I was often shocked at the lack of preparation of barristers on quite simple matters of law. And there was an almost universal lack of ability to think on their feet. Solicitors at magistrates court were generaly much more of a problem.

Derek Smith, Brighton, UK

The general public have been more than aware with regard to the short-commings of this profession for hundreds of years. Solicit(or), the very name can be related to another timeless yet very profitable game. Now they have been found out by their own kind it's time they were made accountable too.

Mike O Connor, Plymouth,

My 20 years of being with young offenders and addressing Courts, places me in direct opposition. In almost every case solicitors acted with greater knowledge,understanding,and above all professionalism.It was rare indeed for me to be complimentary to a barrisster.As a profession they are futile.

John Eadie MacGregor, Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Having had to suffer the appalling 'defence' advocacy of many members of the Junior Bar over the years, I suggest Mr Lodder gets his own house in order before criticising others.

Jaypee, London,

May I refer all to an article written by Daniel Finkelstein [The Times] July 9th 2008. References were made to those who 'err' in their duty and who thereafter find it impossible to admit a mistake. The words 'Cognitive Dissonance' are the key to what is wrong.

Steve, Bournemouth, England

Permitting solicitors to perform advocacy is akin to permitting psychiatrists to perform surgery.

James E. Petts, Burnham, England

If barristers hadn't priced themselves out of the market this would never have happened. For barristers to include the word justice is laughable. They are only interested in numbers. The number of ££££ in there fees.

Mr David Phipps, Oxford,, United Kingdom

The CPS strikes me as another of those good ideas where, in practice, the solution becomes worse than the problem it was designed to solve. A collection of wasteful, mediocre little careerists.

James Hargrave, Melbourne,