They are among life’s great imponderables. Does God exist? Does a falling tree make any sound if there is no one there to hear it? Does humour have a place in legal services?

This last question has been the subject of some debate in the Gazette group on business networking forum LinkedIn, after one participant stumbled across the website www.chappellpascoe.com.

This is not your usual bland brochure-speak law firm site. Instead, visitors are greeted with off-the-wall pics and some rather risqué jokes.

The personal injury section, for example, says: ‘Finger trapped in door...? Saucepan stuck on head...? Tripped over the cat...? Driven out of the garage without opening the door...? Got out of bed on the wrong side...? WE'RE SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THAT BUT....WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IT WAS PROBABLY YOUR FAULT!’

The site was apparently the brainchild of partner Crispin Chappell and is peppered with references to the fact that the two-partner East Sussex firm Chappell Pascoe is definitely not Clifford Chance. Chappell’s profile says: ‘As we say, we are not at all like international law firms such as Clifford Chance, although interestingly Chappell's initials are also CC, and so he is often mistakenly instructed to advise on cross-border mergers and acquisitions, whatever they are. For example, he inadvertently got involved in the merger of a business putting lead in writing implements with a male impotence drug manufacturer. This has provided stiff competition ever since.’ Arf!

Is there indeed a place for humour in law firm marketing? Does this actually count as humour?

The truth is out there. To join this and other more edifying discussions, simply join LinkedIn.com, search Groups for the Gazette group, and request to join.