Sarcasm may be the lowest form of wit, but it has its place nevertheless. And we are pleased to see that solicitors are not so dessicated as to spurn the chance to employ a little acerbic humour in their client letters when the chance presents itself.

Paul Nicholls, of Smith Jones in Kenilworth, is one such lawyer. He has shared with Obiter a glimpse of some of the more pointed client letters he has sent over the years.

To (a now defunct insurer in the Midlands)‘We refer to our letters of 4th January, 19th February, 13th March, 8th April, 29th April, 7th May and 4th June, each of which remains unanswered.

The writer was half expecting to read in the Birmingham Mail that all of your typewriters had been stolen. In anticipation of your reply, we enclose a sheet of paper and biro...’

And another gem, to the same insurer:‘Thank you for your letter of 15th December, the contents of which brought a tear to the writer’s eye; he loves nostalgia, and your offer took him back... to around 1974 when that sort of offer would have been acceptable.’

This last one is Obiter’s favourite, though we assume it was all down to an innocent typo rather than intentional mischief.

Nicholls says: ‘I remember hearing about a diminutive client who was very temperamental and exceptionally touchy about his height. He went absolutely ballistic about a letter he’d received from his solicitor. Having checked the letter carefully everything seemed to be fine until the last line: "I look forward to hearing from you shorty."’

Aah, the old ones are always the best.