The compensation culture may be a myth, but the country is on the verge of being swamped by a legal culture of sorts. Wherever you turn, there are going to be lawyers.

First up we have law student Katie Beck (pictured below), who has been selected in the latest phase of Dove's 'campaign for real beauty', in which it flogs the values of its products by promoting 'real women'. She is very possibly the first representative of the legal profession to appear as a pin-up on the front page of a newspaper (London's Metro).


Ms Beck, who is 22, joins two women from south-east England and 11 others from across Europe who will be starring in their underwear on a billboard or in magazines this month. Ms Beck apparently said: 'The Dove flyer asked: "Do you love your curves?" and I thought, fantastic, that is exactly how I feel about my body. That's why I decided to be a representative for the new campaign.'


Next we have confirmation that the BBC's fly-on-the-wall series about Manchester personal injury firm Amelans (see [2005] Gazette, 10 March, 20) is to kick off on 4 May, with this typically understated flyer sent to us last week as a reminder.


The 'Rottweilers' Andrew Twambley (above, left) and Martin Cockx are teddy bears really, but in Obiter's now considerable experience of the pair, it seems they just cannot resist the lure of publicity - any publicity. In a truly frightening thought (for Eamonn Holmes as much as anyone, so no wonder he's leaving soon), you might even catch them on the GMTV sofa promoting the programme.



Also in the next couple of weeks, stay-at-home mums and students should have first sight of 'The People's Court UK', hosted by the ubiquitous Carol Smillie as part of ITV's revamped daytime line-up. It sounds like the lawyer's worst nightmare, to go by the publicity: 'There are no legal bills, no lawyers - just you and the other party putting your story to the People's Court judge... No dispute is too small for us to hear.' At least the BBC's recent pilot show 'You the jury' had lawyers arguing the cases.


The two judges, who the programme-makers are at pains to stress are not judges in real life, are London QC Jerome Lynch - described as 'stylish, flamboyant and wickedly funny' - and 'red hot' Scottish criminal law solicitor Rhonda Anderson, who we're told is 'compassionate but formidable, sharp, funny and unavoidably sassy'. Both, fortunately, have 'razor-sharp' legal minds too.


But at least lawyers will be able to point the finger at TV producers next time they are accused of fuelling a compensation culture.


Encouraging people to apply to be on 'The People's Court UK', the programme makers say: 'It won't cost you a penny and if you win, you could end up with a lump sum of CASH in compensation!'


Finally, TV production company Ricochet, which is behind 'Supernanny', 'No Going Back' and 'Selling Houses', is looking for 'talented, energetic and dynamic' lawyers (presumably there are still a few out there who haven't already been groomed for media stardom) to feature in a new series being developed for a network broadcaster.


It is looking for lawyers - especially those who know something about personal injury, family law, negligence and employment - to advise potential clients with real-life problems on the likelihood of a successful resolution. The lawyers will also be given the chance to take the cases on a no-win, no-fee basis, so you can tell your partners that it is all about business development, not self-aggrandisement.


The production company blurb says that 'this first of its kind series will be an illuminating, stimulating look at the legal system and provide massive takeaway value both to those appearing on the series and to viewers at home'. And unlike Ms Beck, you won't have to take your clothes off (so far as we know). Those interested in screen testing should telephone 01273 224800 or e-mail: lawshow@ricochet.co.uk.