The work of this court cannot be assessed as if it were merely a publicly funded dispute resolution centre. There are some specific points of contrast between markets and the profession worthy of note. The first and, in my view, foremost, is the significance of historical continuity. This is at heart of the legitimacy of our legal system. A profession values such traditions.
Markets are different.
A market wakes up every morning with a completely blank mind, like Noddy. Second, a profession has an ethical dimension and values justice, truth and fairness. Third, the operation of a market gives absolute priority to a client's interest. A profession gives those interests substantial weight, but it is not an absolute weight. In many circumstances, the lawyer's duty to the court prevails over a client's interest, let alone a client's enthusiasms.