Fighting fit

Lawyers are in the front line in the Territorial Army's recruitment campaign.

Apparently, there are already a significant number of legal professionals in the ranks, but a spokeswoman tells Obiter that they are always looking for more legal squaddies.

One trainee solicitor, Chris Curtis of Taylor Street in Farnham, Surrey, is this week representing the legal profession at Nato's Congress 2000 games in Berlin - Nato's equivalent to the Olympic games - where he will fire guns, tie bandages and brave an assault and aquatic obstacle courses.

But it's not all about drilling, polishing boots, shooting enemies and eating Marmite, says the muscular 35-year-old on his break from training at Aldershot military base - it also brings benefits to his criminal practice.

'It helps you deal with stress better.

I have had the least amount of time off than any member of the firm,' he says.

So far, Mr Curtis has not had to put the more 'hands-on' side of the action to the test in the course of his job.

'I haven't had to fight off a client or anything,' he admits.