Trainee solicitors have it far too easy these days. The legal practice course softens them up with open-book exams and now you are not even allowed to make them spend their two years chained to the photocopier and kettle. So hurrah for east London law firm Adams, which is toughening up its trainees by making them walk over hot coals - pictured here is Julie Macklin. In truth, this was actually a charity event in which Ms Macklin, fellow trainee Emma Sear and solicitor Rebecca Howlett took part, along with 47 other nutters, in aid of specialist drug-treatment charity Phoenix House. Each participant learnt to walk unharmed across 20 feet of embers burning at 1236 degrees fahrenheit, following a rigorous two-hour training session called - with admirable honesty - 'Learn or burn'. This apparently increased confidence and self-esteem, released fears and doubts, transformed fear into positive action and contained much fun. The fire walk itself involved scooting across the fire bed for six paces, and took place with hundreds of spectators watching. Adams has opened a new office on the 29th floor of Canary Wharf, so one can only imagine what staff's next daredevil event may be.