Our mention of the Law Society Art Club last week drew a response from Isle of Man lawyer Paul Beckett, who wanted to sing the praises of artist Michael Taylor. In the past year, Mr Taylor was commissioned by the House of Lords to paint a portrait of the previous Lord Chancellor, Lord Falconer, to hang in the House. He was also commissioned by Mr Beckett to paint this eye-catching picture for the latter's 50th birthday. Obiter watchers may recall that Mr Beckett has featured in these pages before in all his tattooed glory, in his guise of Mad Manx, one of those lawyers who enjoy a good (legal) tear-up in the ring. His particular claim to fame was as the only contestant fighting with the Real Fight Club - the white-collar boxing organisation - ever to have been knocked out cold. He was keen to see fellow practitioners follow his path (into boxing, not on to the canvas, we presume). 'I would encourage anyone to have a go. Train hard, feel ten years younger, and keep your hands up,' he advised, having learned that last lesson the hard way.