The conference season is now well under way, but neither the Law Society, Bar - or many others gathering together can match the line-up at next month's Criminal Law Solicitors Association (CLSA) conference in Coventry.

Director Rodney Warren was visibly puffed up with pride at the Law Society conference when he revealed to Obiter he has secured a much-prized guest speaker.

'Lord Jeffrey Archer - who, much like his latest book, has been recently released - will be speaking at our conference,' he confirmed.

Mr Warren said he was confident that Lord Archer's tales of prison life would provide defence solicitors with valuable lessons on how to deal with inmates - and Obiter assumes they, in turn, could help him avoid a return to chokey.

'Lord Archer will be speaking for free so it will be a case of Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less', Mr Warren jested.

'You could even say that he is joining the not-for-profit sector.'