" Six and Eightpence."

Feilding Star, Volume XV, Issue 341, 16 June 1894, Page 2

" Six and Eightpence."

[Contributed] . The misfortune .that has befallen Mr George Haiiper and Mr Maude in being "struck off ; thiiyf6Us " has, for the moment, concentrated the public gaze on the "learned profession." Lawyer*, are an interesting study. They »¥e necessary and very useful ur€neir wayV and, witlia method purely indigenous, they can and do turn topsy-turvy that good old saw " Circumstances alter cases " and make it in fact " Cases alter circumstances." Some evil minded people regard the term "lawyer" as a synonym for '•liar." The "distmcfioli between the terms must remain in abeyance until a lawyer is cited to "show cause," and judgment is" recorded. Still, no one ever supposes the average lawyer's conscience 'toF"SGU&* from a puritanical want Of plasticity, nor is the profession generally credited with possessing , more candour ' than | discretion. The expression "myaolici-£ tor" is, with, the commercial' com* munity, as familiar in their months as household words. There is a formidable aspect about the expression, and a. flavor of stern reality also, as most " recalcitrant debtors know. _~ The pro* 4 fessionis not popular, and a lawyer is ■ never introduced into a play, or three* volume novel except for the purpose of < exposing him as a scoundrel in the one, or having him kicked in the third act of the - other. The solidity of six and eight- ■ pence for undefined and (indefinable < services is, perhaps, the sole cause s for the dread and dislike in which the profession is held by the public. Bilk of. costs have about them a pungent odour' of overcharge, and, being Btatute ? wo- ! tected, there is no escape, from- '^bar-A rister's bouquet " for the unfortunate litigant; Reforms in ' this < direction would be hailed with satisfaction by the ' majority of laymen, and th# man who undertakes the task mnst have a stupendous courage, forvthe^ jjiruggle -would be severe and prolbn|aa, and success uncertain. To the' late CbarleH Dickens, more than any other man, the public owes a deep debt of gratitude, for by his wit, his courage, :: anil hw industry he has brought about refcrma in Jegal administration, for whibh a f litigants should be tbankfnl. Mr Perker, Messrs Dodson and Fogg, Mr Pell, Mr Sergeant finzfuz, Mr Plutnky, 'Mi«» ' Jorkins and Spenlow, ' Mr Jingle, Mr Jogger*, Mr Tulk jnghorn and Sampson brass are some of the legal gentlemen to be met with in- the works of Dickene.; And how true to life some of tbeiej characters are? Further reforms «• desirable and expedient and must sooner or later be taken in hand. Six and eight pence is not of itself exorbitant, but tbe rapid manner in which it multiplied itself and that for insignificant services, -,'M what exasperates one." Cannot the minor duties performed by law clerks for the mostjiart berated at a lower figure ? Wbuld not three and four pence or even one and eight pence be remuneration 'enotigh for such services? The scale of fees ntedi , revision; time and the tidebf enliffntennient *•■; have made inroads into all other profjivsions, but the Law Society seems impregnable. The valiant efforts of (he-grand old man the Bight Hon Sir 3 George Grey with his Law Practitioners Bill; have terminated in failure, disruption may be delayed but it is inevitable, A Jew more exhibitions of the " No. % Departnieitt \\&. will hasten the" day. Under the guise of "Money to Lend," and " Land totl Sale K. advertisements, lawyers are invading the' territory of the Commission Agent, who unfortunately is not specially protected by statutes. Perhaps the surest was to fowe reforms üby arbitration. Ifliugantß,ui civil cases, were to resort to arbitration, and appoint commercial men toarbitraU, they would g>t decisions, that may not be legally correct, but would oh moral," and equitable grounds be right and the cost wonld be a fraction iai compared withl' a lawyers bill of costs ' "