The new year has clearly put some PR bods into overdrive. 'Manches Cup hits the TV screens in 2006', though it is hoped not literally. Apparently 'it's time for all sea-faring lawyers to pull out their sou'westers and brush up on their sailing skills...' The organisers of the legal regatta expect up to 80 teams to enter - the main event was won last year by City firm SJ Berwin - and has secured television coverage for the first time. Yes, 'Sky Sports 2 and 3 will broadcast the regatta to a global audience of up to 325 million people'. The key words in that sentence are, of course, 'up to' - but who are we to suggest that the sea-going lawyers taking part won't become huge celebrities in Azerbaijan or Guatemala? It could at least be good marketing.


Let's hope the cameras are trained firmly on the action on the water, however. Last year, word reached Obiter of the 'tired and emotional' behaviour of one group of sea-going lawyers who had chartered yachts in Port Hamble Marina, near Southampton. This prompted another marina visitor - also a solicitor - to write in to report: 'You get all kinds of groups there, including children with behavioural problems - but none of them ever behaved as badly.'