First of all, many thanks to Bevan Brittan - the by-product of recently demerged Bevan Ashford - for possibly setting a trend in law firm hospitality. To mark the birth of the 'new' firm, BB decided to have not one, but two bashes at its Holborn offices in London last week. Can clients and journalists across the capital &150; and around the rest of the country &150; now anticipate a similar approach from corporate law firms looking to impress? Indeed, which will be the first to launch the three-reception event?

Of course, it is not all champers and canapés at these gatherings &150; there are serious messages to be conveyed. And for Bevans that message was the 'new dynamic'. Obiter must confess to not really understanding what the new dynamic is, but that could be the result of too much of the aforementioned drink and nibbles.


So let's allow the firm's freshly designed corporate brochure - complete with computer graphic pastel flowers - to do the talking. 'A new type of market. A new business environment. New models for service delivery. All forged by the dramatic merging of new technologies, new economic structures and news ways of working.' Oh dear. Anyway, this all militates in favour of 'new opportunities for commercial and non-commercial worlds alike. New responsibilities and complexities. New types of partnership as private and public sectors grow increasingly interdependent and inseparable.' Ultimately, of course, 'Bevan Brittan has a consummate grasp of this "new dynamic".' Well, thankfully, somebody has.