Obiter’s desk clock is steadily counting down ‘til J-Day, 1 April 2013, when the main chunk of the Jackson civil litigation reforms come into force. That’s not the only notable event of the day: 1 April is also the birthday of our lord chancellor, Chris Grayling. He was born on that day in 1962 (a birthday he shares with Phillip Schofield off the telly; who said astrology was nonsense?).

Jokes about All Fools’ Day to the usual address.