You suggest that barristers refusing to prosecute climate protesters may be in breach of the “cab rank” rule (Top lawyers defy bar to declare they will not prosecute peaceful climate protesters, 24 March). Observance of this rule has always been optional. All a barrister need say to evade it is that they are too busy. In fact, it is a myth peddled by the bar to suggest that they have higher standards than solicitors and to frustrate reforms that might benefit solicitors.
When I was in private practice, one of my partners explained how the rule works: if a barrister does not want to do a case they will not do it, but if you pay them enough they will want to do it.
Alasdair Darroch
Retired circuit judge and former solicitor advocate
