You know what it’s like when you’ve had the decorators in. The Law Society is understandably a little proud of its newly refurbished high-tech Council Chamber, where each seat has ‘access to power and data’ and will shortly have electronic voting.

A little fastidious, too. Attendees at last week’s Council meeting were sternly warned: ‘No refreshments are permitted in the Council Chamber,’ apparently because of the wiring.

But sitting on the Council is thirsty work and a couple of rebellious souls tried to bring in cups from the ‘convenient refreshment area’.

President Paul Marsh had the job of playing matron. ‘I’m afraid drinks are not allowed,’ he said sternly.

This didn’t go down well with one attendee, who asked whether the membership had been involved in this decision. Other grumbles overheard concerned the lack of leg-room and the height of the new desks.

Possibly the new high-definition plasma screens will win the grumblers over – in Wimbledon Fortnight, at any rate.