Game for a laugh

Obiter can exclusively reveal - as evidenced by this photograph - that Addleshaw Booth & Co includes in its employment contracts a clause that gives it the power to order staff to don the most appalling casual wear en masse and then photograph them for the purposes of public humiliation.

Either that or the concept of dress-down days has turned its employees slightly crazy.

The only other vaguely plausible explanation for this is that as part of the firm's never-ending self-promotion in connection with the Commonwealth Games (of which, as we all now know, the firm is an official sponsor), it has secured places for six members of staff in the Queen's Jubilee baton relay around the UK.

This entitles them to carry the baton 500 yards and access to the ropiest public application of purple since David Icke.

They were nominated by colleagues through an internal 'unsung heroes' competition, which doesn't explain why private client lawyer and long jumper Ann Danson (left) - who through her successful efforts to compete at the games has become better known than Addleshaw's senior partner - is one of them.

The others involved are Oliver Gayle, Claire Butler, Irene Simon and Dan Simms (with Kathryn Slater not pictured).