Obiter's email inbox was inundated this week with claims to the crown of the youngest person to set up their own firm - though sadly no one came forward to challenge Allis Karim's simultaneous bid to be the most soulful lawyer in the country (see [2007] Gazette, 21 June, 9).


The previous holder of the record was Darren Hek of Cardiff firm Hek Jones, at 29 years and 69 days old. Among those to put in a bid for glory was Gordon Bishop of GB Solicitors in Fareham, Hampshire, who weighed in with 27 years and 247 days. He also lays claim to being the first legal practice in Hampshire - and the country, he wonders? - that was fully incorporated with limited liability (on 1 April 2001). But that's another story.



Other contenders included the founders of Simpson Robertson & Edgington of Rayleigh in Essex. When the firm opened for business on 1 September 1975, Bruce Edgington was 27 years and 213 days old, Keith Simpson was 27 years and 195 days old and Duncan Robertson was 27 years and 5 days old. They remained in partnership - 'with scarcely a cross word' - until 11 March 2005 when they merged with neighbours Todmans and became Todmans SRE. They are now all consultants to the practice.



But we can do better - much better. Farhat Ahmed writes in to say that he started Shaws, a two-partner practice in Croydon, on 10 January this year at 26 years and 151 days.



Close, but no cigar. John Blackwell, a consultant at Beachcroft, was born on 21 January 1945 and admitted on 1 November 1968. He set up his own firm on 1 March 1969, at the grand old age of 24 years and 38 days. The practice merged with Wansbroughs in 1987, and is now part of the national giant.



So we have our winner. Or do we? High-profile media lawyer Mark Stephens, whose practice merged to become part of London firm Finers Stephens Innocent, gets on the blower to say that he too launched his firm at 24 - with special dispensation from the Law Society because the firm he worked for had closed its London office.



Mr Stephens is unable to provide us with the same level of biographical detail as Mr Blackwell, so Obiter's research wonks will have to beaver away to try and find out more. 'I thought I was one of the child prodigies,' he says. 'We may be an elite bunch.' Can you do any better? Email gazette-editorial@lawsociety.org.uk.