It is pleasing to report that friendly competition still exists between those on either side of the solicitor-barrister divide. Last week Obiter heard Robert Graham-Campbell, chief executive at top commercial litigation set Maitland, and a very brave man indeed, make a daring remark to an assembled crowd of 60 or so City solicitors. Graham-Campbell noted that his silks’ workloads were increasingly dominated by advisory, rather than adversarial work. Then he added: ‘We’re not feeling this economic pressure that’s being written about. Could it be that barristers are considered better value for money?’ Judging by the roar of laughter that immediately followed, the solicitors present demurred.

The meeting took place in an elegant meeting room at Slaughter and May – rumoured to pay the highest solicitors’ salaries in the UK (although its partners refrain from announcing publicly how much they earn) and charge what can best be described as ‘blue riband’ rates to clients. Clearly they are not too worried about the competition.