Breaking the dress code

There are few more entertaining sights in the legal profession than seeing senior lawyers cope with an invitation to dress less traditionally than normal.

And the fact that they were invited to do so at the Civil Justice Council's high-powered costs forum last Friday and Saturday probably explains why it was conducted under strict rules which prevent us from naming the people present.

On the Friday, there was a staunch backbone of delegates unable to ditch their suits and ties, a few jackets and tie-less shirts, one alarming green jacket with orange stripes, and a down-to-earth Manchester solicitor who wore a fluorescent orange polo shirt which was not - to gasps of astonishment - even tucked into his trousers.

The Saturday morning caused greater problems; after all, surely one can relax at the weekend? But that did not stop several turning up in office gear.

There was a good sprinkling of jumpers but one leading defendant solicitor took the prize (or the biscuit) with his everyday suit and a multi-coloured floral shirt that made you think he was off to Hawaii within minutes.

Members of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers worried about the reputation of their organisation may contact Obiter for confidential disclosure of the wearer.