Many practitioners could be forgiven for bidding a hearty good riddance to 2008, but for the fact that 2009 will almost certainly be even more challenging.

In a week when the normally taciturn Barclays chief executive John Varley was accused of talking down the housing market by predicting a 30% price crash by the end of next year, it is difficult to foresee any near-term upturn in residential conveyancing, for example.

And who dare yet predict whether Gordon Brown’s fiscal stimulus plan - memorably dubbed ‘crass Keynesianism’ by the German government - will arrest the economy’s headlong decline. It is too early to say.

The contagion appears to be ubiquitous; earlier this week, a High Court judge ordered Allen & Overy to disclose its projected bill for an intellectual property trial, reflecting growing judicial disquiet over the cost of litigation. At a time when the City elite are relying on a surge in corporate disputes to help tide them over the recession, this will have focused minds in the Square Mile and Canary Wharf. Mr Justice Arnold wants to see a more ‘proactive’ approach to controlling costs at the outset and Lord Justice Jackson will doubtless have taken note.

In summary, for many solicitors 2009 is shaping up to be a year to endure rather than to prosper. In this festive season, the Gazette wishes you all well in that endeavour.