Depth of fashion

The IBA conference dress code is officially 'informal', which always proves a minefield for lawyers.

For many, it just throws them completely, meaning they revert to the comfort of their pinstripes, although this could - in the case of City lawyers at least - simply be solicitors acknowledging that 'traditional dress is welcomed'.

One early highlight of the event so far has been the latest in Hawaiian couture modelled by top media lawyer Mark Stephens, a habit which is becoming a distinct feature of successive IBA conferences.

Mr Stephens - whose personality is the only thing louder than his shirts - proudly pointed out to Obiter that his latest number pictured the flag of Hawaii, which is the only one of the US states to include the Union flag.

So, at least it was a semi-patriotic gesture from Mr Stephens, and it also provides a great new piece of trivia to bore people with at dinner parties.