Becoming a lawyer or barrister or rising through the ranks of the constabulary requires travelling a stressful route that none of us non-legal people can truly apprecaite.

Public attitude towards the legal profession varies from:

• overpaid, out of date, out for themselves and priviliged to
• essential to democracy, tireless in working for personal freedom and put upon by the Government

Which of the above prevails depends on your choice of newspaper and the mood of the newspaper editor at the time....

I propose that Old Girls who are studying to be serving their country in the law giving and enforcing systems and those who are now fully qualified have a private forum where they can discuss the problems that they can discuss (I know some can't be discussed because their workplace will not let them - but we Old Girls can find ways around anything!).

I want it to be a forum where, when overwhelmed by stress or just plain disheartened, they can talk to others from a similar educational background (the Good Old School) and hear from others who have lived through a period of time like they are having....

Sometimes you need to talk to someone who is remote from your situation but can understand where you're coming from. I think that speaking to others from school could help - or at least not do any harm....

There is a 'closed group' called 'The Courts' on Face book which has been set up for you to mingle with others in your professional calling....