Legal Services Bill [Lords]

I proudly declare an interest as a practising solicitor. I do not apologise for being a solicitor, even though some Labour Members seem to suggest that one should. Lawyers are an integral part of society. It is easy to criticise them until we need their services. For 12 years I have been a legal aid lawyer, defending those on benefits or on income levels below that—people on the margins of society. After those 12 years, I believe I have a useful contribution to make about the impact of the Bill on those consumers and others, and I shall impart that to the House.