STRAIGHT FROM THE HORSE'S MOUTH - your chance to know the viewpoint of the students of Moscow State University Law School and Department of World Politics on the following:

Humankind has embraced capitalism as its favorite religion. Greed is Commandment number one

To be frank, I do not agree with the statement in the first place. What is cause and effect? If you look the basic terms up in Longman’s dictionary you will find that “Capitalism is an economic and political system in which businesses belong mostly to private owners, not to the government”. And “Greed is a strong desire for getting more than you need”.

Having defined the terms we can discuss the problem in particular without being afraid of any confusion.

Capitalism is the creation of the modern world, unlike Greed. Greed has existed from the time immemorial, in every epoch and every country.

Do you remember the rule of the jungle, that is “Kill as many enemies (or animals) as you need to maintain your life”. However, some individuals handle the issue differently: ‘Have as much food as possible, whether you are hungry, or not!” They are trying to obtain as much as possible, inventing new devices and gadgets to make the job easier.

In our modern time there is no problem with food (I am talking about the developed countries).  If you want to eat just go and buy whatever you need. But at the same time we are facing another problem. The problem called “Money”. 

We can constantly argue and criticize Greed. But we must admit that it is Greed (among other things) that is pushing people along the way of progress. If it weren’t for Greed we would have lived like any prehistoric tribe.

In conclusion I would like to stress the following simple idea: We are who we are and there is no way to change or improve the human race! Let’s face facts!

So thank you, Mr. Greed J

Maxim Krylov, 3d year student, Department of World Politics

***

The publicity only surrounds lawyers because we need them so much.

Have you ever killed anyone?

Never!?

Really!?

Ok, let’s try together. Just for fun.

In the darkest night let’s hide in the darkest alley and wait for our victim. He or she is just an innocent scapegoat, we even don’t know this person! Nevertheless we migh jump from behind the bush and stab his neck with a penknife. Screams!!! Blood all over the place….and a dead body on the ground. Yes, we have done it!

What’s next?

Unfortunately, the screams of the victim will wake up a dozen of people from the neighboring houses and someone is sure to cause us problems by calling the police. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough experience in playing hide-and-seek, that’s why there is a very fair chance for us to be caught.

The evidence is against us, so first of all we’ll demand a lawyer. A government-appointed lawyer whose services are free of charge might seem to be the right choice.  BUT! We need a professional to win our case, and we are ready to give him all our money to be safe. And he will take it, because we will beg him to take it. On the other hand we’ve got the relatives of the victim, who are also ready to spend all their savings to put us behind the bars.

Justice is a competitive process, that’s why the greater sum of money invested in it can provide greater opportunities and the greatest results. But in each litigation there is a party which looses and that’s why half of the public (those who win) likes lawyers, and the other half hates them cordially. We’ve created lawyers with our own hands, therefore we do not the moral right to accuse anybody.

So, have you ever killed anyone?

Ilya Mironov, 3^rd year student, Faculty of World Politics

***

Humankind has embraced capitalism as its favourite religion. Greed is commandment number one.

For a long time humankind has been flattering itself claiming that it is progressing favourably, approaching the brilliant future where prosperity will be guaranteed to everyone. These ideas articulated by Turgo and Kondorse in the XVIIIth century were predominant throughout the XIXth and even the XXth century. However does today’s reality provide any proof of the fact that the golden age is somewhere near? The question is obviously rhetorical. The humankind is bogged down in wars and crises, ready to kill and destroy striving for money and power. The Western civilization in spite of considering itself to be the most advanced and moral one, has already forgotten all the Biblical Commandments. It seems to have created its own rules with Greed at the top of the chart, being the key factor leading to success and high social position. Though the public hates tycoons and other fortune possessors cordially, people still desire to find themselves in the shoes of The Have-s. Denouncing the Muslim world for its overwhelming devotion to religious values, Western people still do not realize that this fidelity at least helps the Easterners to stay integral and appreciate something else than  a Gold Visa or a High Profit Savings Account.

To my mind it could be a good idea to revive such long-abandoned virtues as family, honesty, hospitality etc. Ecological problems; unequal access to wealth and power; famine, even epidemics occurring everywhere -- all these originate from this abnormal passion for money. An awful lot of people are totally indifferent to others thinking only about their own benefits.

To conclude, unless the humankind and the Western civilization in particular, changes its priorities drastically, The Doomsday predicted by the religion we have rejected is not a long way off.

Maria Golovacheva, 3d year student, Department of World Politics

***

The legal business has been turn into some kind of mystical hocus pocus over the years.

There’s an opinion that legal business is a mystical hocus pocus and it’s impossible to change this situation. Of course this opinion might be justified in some way, and to my mind some blame can really be placed on lawyers.

Through the past decades the fees of lawyers have increased greatly and I suppose, that was the reference point when this profession became privileged.  Legal experts have created the so called “closed shop” and they prefer to prosper within the pale of laws, made by themselves for themselves. It’s now almost impossible for a “stranger” to get into legal profession mostly due to all these complexities, sophisticated exams, and their “secret” language…

So these days more and more legal services are beyond the pocket of most citizens. Of course  it is still possible to find a ‘cheap’ lawyer but -- we’ve got to be honest – s/he won’t be as qualified as we want them to be. If you are trying to save on your lawyer’s fee, you might expect that your legal expert won’t deliver the goods. And if you want to be 100 per cent sure that you’ll have the result that will be generally satisfactory, you’ve got to be able to pay through the nose at some point. Are you ready to do that? As for me – the answer is: Certainly not. We’re not oligarchs; we’re not big companies that can afford such an expensive luxury as numerous legal advisors! We are the average people with fair demands and modest income. And if the state  is doing its best to complicate our lives with lots of legal papers with legal technicalities we’ve got to have the possibility to set all our businesses in order with modest fee rates. At least lawyers fees should be within the bounds of reason!

 So what shall we do with this situation? Actually there seem to be just two ways out.

We may rely on our politicians and wait until they decide how to make our life easier. Having in mind that they do promise us the simplification in all spheres of legal assistance it’s just time that can help. However I’ve got a question: can we always trust the words of politicians? Probably not…

It looks like there’s another solution. Let’s study law ourselves. At least we may try to read the book “Law for Dummies”. But if any Joe Blogg tries to become a minor expert in legal matters, can we be sure that lawyers won’t think out some other tricky technologies in order to stay in demand?.

We live in the country where every step taken “for the people” is blocked by two steps “against the people”. Unfortunately, the legal business definitely adds complexity to our life.

To sum it up I’d like to repeat that legal business in this country is beyond the reach of the greatest part of the population. Laws and lawyers exist in their own world, too remote from the world of common people with their common problems.  Instead of helping the people, laws tend to embarrass them.

Let’s hope that the situation will change…someday.

Olga Ignatyeva, 3d year student, Department of World Politics

***

Any Joe Blow thinks that he can do the same job with a “Bluffer’s Guide to the Law” under his arm.

 Needless to say, the life of a modern man is very complicated. In our everyday chaos problems with the law occur quite often, and that’s when the issue of consulting a lawyer appears.

Some say that lawyers are greedy and they should be avoided at all costs if you want to keep some of your wealth and sanity. But there’s another point of view. Proficient lawyers get high fees just for doing their job properly. And what do they do? They have to interpret sophisticated legal theory and apply it to personal circumstances of their clients, trying to obtain a minimum penalty for them in case it is impossible to bluff it out. They have to study many years and then perfect their skills through everyday practice. They have to be very scrupulous reading huge amounts of books, searching for all sorts of evidence in order to make an impression that the client is innocent. And isn’t it hard to make someone believe that you are telling the truth?

So, bearing all these points in mind, I really do think that lawyers should get appropriate fees for the job they are doing. Of course the questions of control over their fees and their availability to all are still very urgent. Having solved these problems, we might be able to say that we have some social justice.

Ksenya Alekseyeva, 3d year student, Department of World Politics

***

These days legal services are beyond the pocket of most citizens.  The fee depends on the experience of a lawyer and the case which is being considered. However, our hypothetical legal expert needs the help of paralegals, secretaries, receptionists. He should pay the rent in his office, as well as all sorts of bills. So the fee also depends on these aspects. As a result, legal service becomes the expensive luxury.

Many people want to save on legal advice, so they start self-education. I don’t think it is a good idea. Nowadays there are a lot of manuals and textbooks on legal theory. Unfortunately their content is too general.

Besides we should not forget that there are many subtle aspects in legal business and it is the lawyers who are able to interpret and apply them to a person’s circumstances. In that way, if you want to set your house in order, do not hope that a ‘Bluffer’s Guide to the Law’ will save you. You should consult a lawyer and that might bring you success in court!

In conclusion I would like to say, that we should not accuse lawyers of having high fees, defending murderers, swindlers, etc. We should understand that it is one of the inherent features of legal profession.        

Elizaveta Babicheva, 3d year student, Department of World Politics

***

Hello, Ladies and Gentleman, today I would like to express my opinion on the problem of lawyers’ fees. Nowadays a lot of people claim that the legal profession is just making a buck, that lawyers are greedy, they are overpaid and so on and so fourth. Yes, maybe all these people are right, because hiring a good experienced lawyer is beyond the pocket of most citizens. But let’s take a look at this problem from a different angle:

What will you choose: paying money to a lawyer or going to prison because of your desire to save some capital? To my mind the first option is more attractive though you might have to pay through the nose. I am one hundred per cent sure that if a person commits a serious crime he/she will try his/her best to win the case in court at any price. Most lawyers realize such a state of affairs that’s why they take your money without turning an eyelash. There’s nothing wrong with charging a rich tariff from those who can afford it. But no one forces you to pay this money: If a price of a certain man of law doesn’t fit you, you can choose another legal expert who will charge less but the risks of loosing the case will increase.

Turning to the final point I would like to say, that lawyers have the right to place a big charge on their services because they sell a really valuable commodity. From this perspective legal profession is like medical profession: these experts appear in our life usually at critical moments and help us to solve our worst problems. If no one dares say that the salaries of doctors are very high (not in our country, unfortunately), why should we complain about lawyers’ fees?

Nikolay Balan, 3d year student, Department of World Politics

***

No person in his right mind would deny the fact that the main aim of capitalism is to exact extra-profit out of everything that people do. The essential part of our life consists of the everyday competition. So I believe that it is all about competition in this life, but not greed. You have to prove first of all to yourself that you can achieve something in life, you can be successful, which means you can earn big money. So this impetus makes people study, work, improve themselves.

Everybody wants to feel confidence in the future. It provides the motivation for perfecting a person’s skills. Personally I believe that if somebody really wants something he will get it. I agree that when it comes to money people are basically the same: the bigger money they get, the bigger part of it they want to save or invest in order to make still more money.

The philosophy of the rich and successful people is indicated in the expression “ You will get nothing if you prefer to sit on your hands”. Taking everything into account I’m tempted to believe that the need to be successful is a part of human nature. So greed cannot be regarded as commandment number one in our world.

Nataly Naumova, Faculty of World Politics

***

Entering the discussion on the greediness of highly-qualified lawyers I can only agree with this point of view. Why? All of us tend to have a high education and we are all going to become to high-qualified experts. And it is not an easy thing to do! After graduation from the University we want to get a good job with high salary. However it demands a lot of enery.

In such profession as the legal profession is very important to earn a reputation of a great expert. And it also demands much time and effort. So why doesn’t the expert who is ‘in the market’ for years have the right for charging a rich tariff? Maybe his efforts and services should sink into oblivion? I don’t share this attitude!

I remember one example from the history. A priest stole something from a shop. An important judge (unfortunately, I do not remember his name) uttered only one phrase which justified the offender’s misdeed. Seemingly, there was nothing to say for his aquittal because he was caught red-handed in the scene of the crime. However, the lawyer said: «People, look at this priest. Every day he prays for forgiveness of our sins. So, why can’t we excuse him justonce?» This example shows that a lawyer should be as flexible as a diplomat, as well-informed as a journalist and he should also be a good physiologist.

I don’t agree with the idea that every lawyer should charge a rich tariff but real experts should enjoy this right. And it refers not only to lawyers, but to experts in any field!

Sheverdina Irina, Faculty of World Politics

***

Today most people complain that lawyers' fees are extremely high, therefore their services, are beyond the reach of ordinary citizens being an expensive luxury. The public accuses the whole legal profession of deliberate complication of the legal system so that only qualified lawyers could exploit the mysery of those who have to consult them. Surely, these claims are not always unjustified and they tend to be based on real facts which cause doubts in the very essence of the profession - social justice.

But in fact it was not lawyers who invented capitalism. Now we have what we have and modern world is quite tough, often unjust and even immoral. Its main principle claims that "the strongest survives". The "closed shop" of the modern legal profession is also the outcome of capitalist attitudes. And each new lawyer entering this specific society has to follow its rules and conditions.

Besides, the difficulty and complexity of modern legal system is naturally caused by a swift development of the society, by a new "advanced" lifestyle - and never by just a handful of people. And it is absolutely fair that those who have sharp, bright mind to sort out all that muddle may expect a top-dollar remuneration.

On the other hand I'm convinced that certain reforms could and should be carried out. For example, there is an opinion that those who are unable to pay for a private lawyer are entitled to be defended by a state-appointed one. In that case we must provide that these free services should be qualified. In order to achieve the desired degree of competence and effectiveness the state itself should reward a lawyer according to the quality of his work so that he would be satisfied with the sum in case of his success.

At the same time certain ceilings of charges must be set up for law firms and offices. That's not an easy work to do and the state will certainly face lawyers' objections, but as we are protagonists of social justice we must ensure it by just means.

Kozhemyakina Aleksandra, Law School

***

There is a standpoint that lawyers are like a bunch of hookers - they have bastardized science to make a buck. People accuse lawyers of being dishonest, unfair and villainous skinflints, who make a fortune on other people's suffering. That is the general public's attitude toward lawyers. One can say: 'I can't understand why I should pay through the nose for 'expert' services! Lawyers only interpret complex legal theory and precedents apply them to particular circumstances, thereby translating them into layman's terms. Now any 'Joe Blow' can do the same job with a 'Bluffer's Guide to the law' under his arm!' When people interpret lawyers' work in this way it shows that they do not have the slightest idea about lawyers' work.

Legal services are an expensive luxury, so lawyers are beyond the pocket of most citizens. Does it mean social injustice? In some way - yes.

It is lawyers who practice and make the law at the same time, that's why there is a suggestion that they've made legal issues obscure, complicated, and difficult to understand, in order to force the public to consult them. There is some truth in this. However I'm of the opinion that lawyers are not as bad as people imagine. Of course, they use all their knowledge and skills to make good money. Wouldn't you earn it if you could? Eventually, lawyers work to help people, to solve their legal problems. They not only interpret laws, applying them to a person's circumstances (and it is not an easy task), but also present cases in court (it requires years of experience). To make good money you are to be a professional of repute. You should exert every effort to achieve success. Your fees would be regulated for price as well as quality. So, why shouldn't you get your fill? To my mind lawyers should retain their monopoly of the legal system, but only on the condition that they truly serve the public.

Maria Ledeneva, Law School

***

I believe that there's a deal of truth in this statement. Many taxpayers have some reasons to hate legal fraternity cordially. But these are people who can't pay big bucks for legal services. Nevertheless, there are others - those who really need professional legal aid - and are ready to pay for this expensive luxury.

What makes the problem worse in this country is the fact that our society is only moving towards capitalism. We are at the stage of "wild capitalism" now. And we can only hope that when/if we reach real democracy we won't have problems similar to those British taxpayers are having now.

Unfortunately, these days the main parasite on our taxpayers' back is our government, which often takes absurd decisions that "hit" the pockets of our citizens. And lawyers here may be the only people who try to defend the interests of citizens by legal methods. As for the members of government - they tend to sit on their hands while people remind them about their constitutional rights.

So we cannot make categorical assertions over the problem of high lawyers' fees. In this day and age lawyers are the people who are trying to fight the injustice of the state using their intellect and skills.

Kostyleva Olga, Law School

***

We all know that sometimes lawyers’ fees are very high. And the money comes from the pockets of ordinary people – the taxpayers. Many of us think that it is unfair: why do we have to pay a huge sum of money to solve just a minor problem? I mean, it is just a minor problem from our point of view. But is that true?
Let’s imagine that there are no lawyers at all: no lawyer in the whole universe! And you need (oh no!!!) to go through a divorce, to make a contract or to buy a house. And there is no one to help you. Are you sure that you know how to do it right? Do you know how to get as much profit as possible? Do you know all the details of the procedure? Oh, you do? Than I think you are a lawyer! Let’s be brutally honest – we DO need lawyers. We need them to deal with difficult legal matters.
Of course it might seem that despite all these arguments lawyers’ fees are still too high. But shouldn’t they be paid for years of hard work perfecting their skills, for the money they save for us when they win our case?
From my point of view the problem is not the lawyers’s fees per se. It’s just nobody wants to pay. And when it comes to money matters it is always like that.
So I think that lawyers are NOT parasites on the taxpayers’ back. They help us. And they should get their full share for this help.

Kate Panina, Law School

***

We all have to confess that in present day reality a person who has decided that legal profession as a way to earn his living will certainly have to confront the narrow-minded approach that his job produces illegal profits. The question is: Which part of this approach is caused by the lack of laymen's education (in other words - by ignorance) and which part is really true.

Let's have a look at a simple layman, an engineer in his forties, who once invested big bucks (rubles in this case) into just another MMM fake thing and now he sincerely believes that the "goods" may still be delivered. To get professional help he turns to a lawyer, to the person, who has never worked with machines, has never gained any injury or even a callosity. The result of his labor isn't material; it can not be touched or tasted. It is not even some definite service, because the result can't be guaranteed at all as it can be, for example, in any ordinary hairdresser's saloon. Now let's add to the picture a well-found office, neat suit, "golden" smile, and you will understand why this humble engineer is under the impression that he has come to the empire of cheats, who play with peoples' lives and destinies.

On the face of it the disparity in their lifestyles is too obvious! But there are things which our humble engineer is absolutely unaware of! The things he doesn't see or notice are the long years spent on university education, the years of practice and perfecting the skills, the years of wrangles with officials, etc. The statement which is best of all applied to layers is: you work for your name during the first half of your life and your name works for you during the second half. In fact, in this profession much depends on your good name, exactly because peoples' lives and destinies are involved. That I why I think that this first layman's impression is totally misleading and altogether wrong! It's caused by the cordial hate of "the have-nots" towards "the haves".

But we can't shut our eyes to this impression, because it's partly based on reality. There is a great temptation for the jurist to use his exclusive knowledge in selfish ends. So, when it comes to money the fees often turn out to be beyond ordinary citizens' pockets. It is true that the legal profession has developed a conglomerate, a closed-shop, which watches over its own interests, which is not answerable to anybody. The lawyers, it is considered, deliberately complexify their "simple work" with difficult legal terms (called legalese). In fact this professional language is necessary, but it must be easily and immediately translated into the everyday language of citizens. It should not be the instrument of cheating ordinary people who are in need of legal advice.

Michael Lisetsky, Law School

***

The Romans said: Radix malorum est cupidas
It means Greed is the root of all evils

It takes long years of hard work and training to become a well-qualified and experienced lawyer. Lawyers are not at all greedy. The very concept of greed is relative and, at least, legal experts earn money with years of hard work, perfecting their skills. When it comes to money, people are basically the same no matter what business they are in. Every well-educated and competent expert should receive the proper payment for his work. And with all due respect to other professions, it is important to take into consideration that if the profession of a lawyer still exists it means that the society finds it necessary.

It is not a secret for anybody that lawyer's fees are often rather high. Lawyer's services are often called the expensive luxury, which is beyond the pocket of most citizens. But it doesn't mean that access to justice depends on access to lawyers.

As a rule, lawyers are hard-working people; they are well-educated and efficient experts. In order to acquire the necessary qualifications lawyers should make huge efforts. There is a question: "Should people count the time spent on training?" Moreover it is necessary to take into account that a person begins to appreciate money only when it is the result of his hard work. Then, there is another question: "Why should they share the money with anybody else?"

We know cases when lawyers give legal advice and represent one's interests in court free of charge. They consider it a great challenge. But even if they don't, we can hardly call them greedy, because it is the question of morality and professionalism. The Romans said: "Radix malorum est cupidas", which means greed is the root of all evil. First, there is greed, then, envy and finally, the desire to deprive a man of his property or even his life. But this can be referred only to really mean people and not to a lawyer, who acts in the name of the law, of the people.

Oksana Lobanova, Law School

***

Those who benefit from lawyer's services occasionally express surprise at the amount of money charged and wonder how their lawyer arrives at a particular fee. Those contemplating engaging an attorney are hesitant to do so for fear of the high cost. The latter are reluctant to ask questions because they think that discussing lawyer's fees is not the thing to be done. Those who hesitate about discussing fees with a lawyer should by all means raise the question. Not only is it completely proper, but the lawyer will appreciate this approach. Furthermore, such discussion will eliminate any possible misunderstanding.

Today lawyers don't simply bill in gross without specifying in some detail the charge for separate items. It is true, nonetheless, that the hourly service charge is computed on the basis of a variety of factors. Some of these factors are: the amount of time spent on a legal matter; ability, experience and reputation; the achieve data; the cost of training and business expenses.

Legal education is very expensive, usually requiring seven full years of training and research after high school. Lawyers have large investments in their books and offices. Legal secretaries and other office aid are highly paid. Frequently as much as 35 to 50 percent of a fee is used to defray office and other business expenses. In some matters a lawyer cannot tell you exactly what the charge will be, but he will almost always be able to explain and provide an estimate of the cost. Clients should not hesitate to discuss potential costs.

When it goes to the time of making a payment the type of legal service required should be considered. More often, the fee is due when the work is completed. If you are not sure you will be able to pay promptly, talk it over with the lawyer and agree upon a plan for the further payment.

Helen Gorlevskaya, Law School

***

In a country full of laws and lawyers, you need to pick the one that is best for you. You do need the “greedy lawyer” who has the best chance of winning your case through his persuasion, devotion and intelligence.

A greedy lawyer works hard for the client because he knows: without a challenging case and a lot of hard work you don't get all the money!

How many lawyers does it take to rip off the taxpayers? Just a handful, if they're friendly with state attorney general. This is no joke. The lawyers who helped state governments sue the tobacco industry are to receive billions of dollars - dollars that rightly belong to the taxpayers.

The lawyers quote a few bogus arguments to support their billion-dollar money grab. The first is that in most states lawyer’s fees are negotiated separately from the state payments, so that the enormous fees don't reduce the amounts received by state governments.

The other argument the lawyers like so much is that they are taking a risk in bringing these novel cases and so they deserve a reward to compensate for that risk. Lawyers are not venture capitalists. They're not supposed to be entrepreneurs searching for creative ways to enrich themselves. They're supposed to represent the interests of their clients. That's their particular role in the judicial branch of government. Excessive fees are a violation of a lawyer's responsibilities - and those fees should be returned to the client.

Whether you like it or not, we need lawyers. All of us do. We live in a society that resolves disputes through the civil justice system. Private trial lawyers make that system work. If your insurance company doesn't pay when it should, your car doesn't run as promised or your doctor operates on the wrong leg, your recourse is to hire a lawyer and sue. In addition I’d like to say that we need lawyers, trial lawyers, sometimes even greedy trial lawyers.

Whether you have been let down by a stock broker, ripped off by a used-car dealer, injured as by a careless doctor, lost a parent due to nursing home negligence or had medical problems because of a drug that didn’t work as promised, trial lawyers are your only hope for getting a compensation. And more importantly, lawsuits and the threat of lawsuits are the only way the society can regulate and prevent such practices.

Tamara Hamathanova, Law School

***

I agree with the opinion. Law dictates the order in the society and we must live according to law. But human beings are not perfect, so sometimes they violate laws. Nobody knows all laws, even lawyers, but they at least know how to use legal norms and regulations and where to find the information. When a person faces problems which are caused by his “bad” behaviour, he needs the professional legal help if he wants to avoid punishment or minimize the consequences of his lawbreaking. Even if your are a good citizen, you sometimes need the help of a professional lawyer. For example, if you’re going to get married and you want to arrange the pre-nuptial contract properly, or you want to buy/sell some property without loosing your money or property itself - then you should ask a lawyer to help you. The more valuable your property is, the more attention you’ll pay to the law firm which will make all the necessary preparations. And you will never say that lawyers are greedy, even if you pay high price for the services.

Some people suppose, that it’s quite easy to do everything themselves and so legal help should not cost so much. “Lawyers do nothing”, - they claim, - They are just book worms who can find the proper words in the book. But those critics forget one thing: lawyers know what to search for and what to check before they open any code. The same thing happens when your car is broken. You can repair it yourself somehow, but you only have some general knowledge of how to do it. Some of your car-repairing activities will be a bit hitty-missy then. Than if your car breaks down again and your attempts to be a DIY car master fail, you will take your motor vehicle to a professional who’ll first correct what you’ve done and only after that he’ll be able to repair the car. Thus, you’ll need to pay the double price. Make your choice!

From my point of view the more it costs the better it is. It is not a universal rule, of course, but it is true for the majority of situations. Good clothes cost much, good health services cost much. Why don’t we call dentists greedy? People pay huge sums of money for filling a tooth or making a white shining Hollywood smile.

Another argument in favour of lawyers’ high fees is the following: market economy. If the offer is the same and the demand is rising the price is rising too. There are not so many high-profile lawyers. Those who are paid huge fees are real professionals and deserve the money they get!

Ekaterina Akhaimova , Law School

***

Lawyers. Some people respect this profession, other people hate lawyers. Let me express my opinion on this problem.

I decided to pass the exams to enter MSU law school, because I thought that lawyer are interesting, self-confident and are above the law. Also I liked to watch films about trials, where lawyers were heroes for me.

Now I understand that my notion of lawyers was childishly romantic. Today,

I meet lawyers almost every day, but they don’t always meet my expectations.

I wish I could bring you to see my point.

Secondly, in most cases, when a student graduates from a Law School, he doesn’t immediately get a good position with a big salary. He must work like a slave for years, spend days in law archives (at best) and in jails (at worst), spend sleepless nights examining legal cases and so in the end he has the right to get big fees. He earns his money with years of hard work perfecting their skills.

I agree that many people are greedy but it should not be associated with their profession. Anyone should be paid according his/her work.

I think that lawyers’ work is important and demanding of both intellect and time.

Nahaeva Bairta, Law School

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