Obiter's recent report on New Zealand solicitor Jennifer Troup's life as the People's Lawyer in Kiribati (see [2005] Gazette, 21 July, 11) brought back happy memories for one reader, Carol Maunder. Ms Maunder, a partner in Bournemouth firm Dutton Gregory, wrote in to say that what was missing was some 'Paradise Island' photographs. She duly supplied some from her stint 15 years ago as junior crown counsel in the Cook Islands, including this view (top right) from her back garden. Based in Rarotonga, the largest island with a population of 10,000, Ms Maunder handled an unusual portfolio of work - ranging from advising on copyright regarding drum sounds and nose flutes to drafting abattoir regulations. One tricky task involved successfully prosecuting the only nightclub on the island for breach of its licence, the sanction being that the club was temporarily shut down - not a move likely to increase the worldwide popularity of lawyers. As can be seen from the picture of the crown law office secretaries, the dress code was more informal than in the UK. Apparently bare feet were also acceptable.


Perhaps this phototograph will persuade the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, to give fresh impetus to the court dress consultation over here, which was announced in May 2003 but now appears to be gathering a heavy coating of dust on the shelf.