Fashion parade

Back in the 60s everyone who was anyone in Swinging London supported Chelsea and had to be seen down Stamford Bridge at least once.

More than 30 years on, it appears the fashionable London legal set has latched on to its own footie darlings in north London.

L'equipe francaise - otherwise known as Arsenal - attracts so many lawyers on a Saturday afternoon that the preponderance of smart casual wear is beginning to be a bit of a problem for the club.

Indeed, a leading human rights solicitor comments to Obiter that at the recent Arsenal-Borussia Dortmund European Champions League clash, he clocked a bevy of silks: Ben Emmerson QC, Peter Thornton QC, Ken McDonald QC and Keir Starmer QC, amounting to a two-all draw between Doughty Street and Matrix chambers.

'We are clearly the team of choice among high-flying human rights silks,' says Obiter's contact.

Of course, for much of the country, an alleigance to Arsenal is something one wouldn't advertise.