As someone who has spent a lot of time examining the underlying economic and social factors which affect lawyers and the services which they provide, I have to admit that I have no special insights which inform me how the legal profession will alter over the next few years. So much has happened in the recent past, such is the state of flux in the wake of the government's green and white papers that it would be a very foolish person who would confidently predict developments. Even the enactment of the Courts and Legal Services Bill will only provide a limited framework for the changes which are now taking place and further legislation may be necessary within a short period.