The present system of lawyers watching over lawyers is doing a grave disservice to the people of Connecticut. My sad experience is proof and supports the conclusions of HALT, the consumer legal reform association. As reported in The Courant on Dec. 18, 2002, Connecticut's statewide grievance committee was faulted for its inability or unwillingness to set a public timetable for following up on grievance complaints ["Group Give 'C' To Lawyer Grievance Committee"].

I know how long it takes -- almost one year. My grievance, which the local grievance committee sent to the statewide committee for a hearing on Oct. 10, 2002, was heard on Dec. 5 last year. So far, so good. However, the statewide committee did not issue its written decision until Oct. 31, 2003 -- 11 months after the hearing.

According to the same Courant article, the statewide committee is not a volunteer effort, as it is at the local level, but a professional staff of eight lawyers and one investigator. How can a simple grievance matter take nine professionals almost one year to decide? Even the Supreme Court of the United States, deciding far weightier matters, manages to keep its decisions timely -- months, not a year.

My experience convinces me that justice delayed is justice denied.

Ann U. Plompen
Farmington