Three weeks ago Obiter offered an iTrip as a prize for the best law-related limerick - an offer that, as the entries rolled in, we began to wish we hadn't made. But we stick to our word on the Gazette, so here are the winners, who will receive either an iTrip or a box set of DVDs of Boston Legal, series two, which goes on sale on 5 March.


The overall winner was this missive from Richard Bridges at Kirkwoods in Stanmore, north-west London:



My opponents all thought I was smarter

When I argued: 'That's res judicata!'

But I suppose it's a fact,

It was all just an act.

'Cause I'm really a boring old farter.



This effort from David Lunn of Costertons in south London made us laugh and - unusually among the entries - managed to scan:

An advocate new to the Court

The wrong colour wig had he bought.

He caused quite a stink

With his headgear bright pink,

But less than the judge, who wore shorts



And, lastly, no one needs a box set of DVDs like an impoverished trainee, so Sandra Bond of Badhams in Croydon wins with the following:



A thrusting young lawyer from Leigh

Charged 80% VAT.

He said: 'Through my door

There come clients galore!

Who needs a conditional fee?'



Some lawyers submitted up to four limericks each, which suggests a little too much time on their hands. We were tempted to ask for sonnets next, but the editor has called for mercy.