The Commonwealth Law Conference, bringing with it lots of Australian lawyers to London, could not have been better timed given the conclusion of the Ashes. Barely a speaker could rise to his or her feet without making some reference - Sir Digby Jones, living up to his name, provided the most digs - but perhaps the most elegant came from former Law Society President Peter Williamson, chairman of the conference organising committee. Welcoming guests to the conference dinner at the swish Intercontinental Hotel off Park Lane, where the dress code was lounge suits or national dress, the besuited Mr Williamson was at pains to point out that he had chosen the latter option - he was, after all, resplendent in his MCC tie. In fact, Mr Williamson turned out to be the conference wit. He oversaw the opening ceremony, which took the form of various VIPs making short welcoming addresses to the 1,000 or so delegates packed into the Queen Elizabeth II conference centre. The speakers were sitting in order and next in line was the Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer. Mr Williamson announced that there would then be some entertainment, which certainly caused a stir. What was this? Bring on the dancing Charlie? Lord Falconer, for all his affable chumminess, is not exactly Jamie Cullum. With a grin, Mr Williamson introduced a youth choir from the east end of London.