Casually suggesting "Random drug-testing" for people working in an office? In Canada, the burden of proof is on showing that physical/public safety would be affected by drug / alcohol abuse and what we do after hours is still our business. The risk of employee error is a poor reason to draw blood.

paul, toronto, canada

To be lawyer, I had to study for years. I work long hours and weekends. It is extremely stressful as I carry a heavy caseload, have to be alert ALL the time and often am dealing with very emotionally charged clients, like the father from Herts. Wish I had the time and money to get drunk!

Susan, Canterbury, Kent

Poor little dears - what do they actually add to anything ?

Martin, London,

Are old bankers strategists or fools?
Are politicians saviours or are they just feeding the fire?
After such price crush in share value, I bet the ownership of major banks will look quite different!
Hedge fund managers must be happy about this ups and downs!

Alex, London, UK

They are bloody lucky to have so much money for drugs & booze,their antics bankrupted me when all I tried to do was be a responsable father and have a balance of time with my own children.Having no money also means I am unable to challenge this injustice,they should replace their wigs for dunce hats

Dave Farmer, Broxbourne, England

Is no one concerned that the law is being practised by so-called professionals who are guilty of using mind altering, illegal substances. It is inherently irresponsible, criminal and deeply worrying. The sporting world doesn't tolerate drugs, I ask, is the legal profession a less serious business?

Jacqueline, Manchester, UK

Crocodile tears are pouring fom my blind eye....the thought of the poor dears drowning their sorrows with magnums of moet and snorting coke from a silver dish.
ALL TOGETHER....AAAAAAAAAAAAAAh...........

Tony, Derby, UK

That lawyers are overpaid is an absolute joke. We only hear about the top dogs at the big firms. Most lawyers work 60 hour weeks for $50,000 or less a year! On average, doctors, college professors, bankers, and many others earn much more than lawyers. Let's get the facts straight here.

Shaun, Lafayette, USA

My heart bleeds for them. They are a overpaid and overpriveleged group who receive far better pay and conditions then other professionals. The problem is of their own making and that of the compensation grabbing culture they helped to create in this country.

Rhys, Shanghai, China

As a student curently studying law in their first year at university i pity the people who make the ignorant presumption that lawyers earn excessive amounts for very little work! Regarding the article it worries me how high the statistics are and how little help and protection is offered by firms!

marc, nottingham,

At least they can justify their fees now !

Nick, London, UK

i don't like lawyers anyway...

louise, london,

Charles - no lawyer in the City could dream of leaving at 5pm - it's barely halfway through the day! Life in North Yorks is a different world.

Katherine, London, UK

Is it stress, or is it the feeling that they are unable to cope on their own unaided resources? One thing is certain, if their choice of drugs, including alcohol starts to cost them more than money, they may find they can't cope with or withour them

Peter O'Loughlin, Beckenham , England

Working weekends, working 12 hour days, and in a lot of cases 24 hour days where deadlines are close are an every day occurance which could drive anyone to an escape
it is a shame when those chasing their dream of reaching the top end up going too far, with the encouragment of their work place.

Carl, UK,

I'm a lawyer. I'm clean and I'm happy. I enjoy looking after my client matters and I am unfailing honest.

And when I'm done at 5 pm, I go home to my lovely wife and baby son to whom I read the alphabet. I don't even bite my finger nails. So there

Charles , York, North Yorks.

Lawyers, ironically, are some of the least protected workers. Solicitors chasing targets dare not have time off. Barristers cannot plan holidays. They earn huge salaries working long hours. Pupillage is scarce. The solution is more lawyers to work less hours, still good money, & students get jobs.

Keith, Pontypridd, UK