Ed Coode MBE, Olympic gold medallist oarsman and now trainee solicitor at Burges Salmon, Bristol, says his former life as a professional sportsman had much in common with his fledgling career in the law, ‘like sitting on my arse going back­wards, for instance’.

Coode was speaking at the London launch of All you need to know about being a trainee solicitor, a book co-written by former solicitor Elizabeth Cruickshank and law school associate dean Penny Cooper. Coode said: ‘There’s more to a traineeship than learning black letter law and this book tells you things they don’t teach you at law school. What traps to avoid, who to befriend, what’s taboo, the etiquette of pouring the coffee at client meetings.’

Bidding the launch party goodnight, he said: ‘It’s going to be nice to sit on the train back to Bristol without having to write an attendance note.’

Schmoozing the launch party, Obiter met a guest who said she had been delighted to be invited. Her name badge read ‘Claire Dyer’ and then in ballpoint ‘Blandy & Blandy’, the Reading firm of solicitors. She explained: ‘I’m Claire Dyer, chair of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Young Solicitors Group. I am not Clare Dyer, the former legal editor of the Guardian. But hey – great party!’

Obiter wishes both Ms Dyers well, but will take a dim view of anyone exploiting nomenclatural similarities to gain access to his packed social calendar. He is thinking of changing his name to Rozenberg, though.