Art of socialising

The summer party season has kicked off again in legal London.

As loyal readers will know, sunshine triggers an inexorable round of parties and drinks receptions, as law firms and anyone else connected to the legal profession in the capital flex their corporate hospitality muscles by trying to out-do each other.

Aside from the hardy perennial of the Royal Academy's summer show (an Eversheds favourite), one of the most fashionable venues for the schmoozing season was until recently the London Aquarium on the South Bank.

Marketing directors were never intimidated by the inevitable comparisons between the sharks circling the inside of the tank and those hoovering up the canapes round the outside.

But now the Dali Universe exhibition just a few doors down the Thames is the place to be seen entertaining.

Among those already in the shadow of the great Spanish artist's moustache are US firm Morrison Forster and last week Sweet & Maxwell for the launch of the White Book Service 2001 (see left).

None other than top indemnity insurer St Paul is next in line; presumably with the stern message that melting clocks could cause negligence actions.

But what ever happened to a quiet drink down the Rose and Crown?