Lawyer in the news

Who? Martin Smith, 50-year-old founder partner of two-partner Hertfordshire firm Martin Smith & Co.Why is he in the news? Acted for Lynn Howarth, who sued a hypnotist when her participation in his show reawakened the trauma of childhood sex abuse.

Ms Howarth claimed the hour-long routine triggered depression, and she twice tried to take her life.

She won 6,500 damages.Background: Law degree at University College, London 1968-71.

Took Law Society finals at the London College of Law 1972-73 and qualified with London sole practitioner Duke Cohan & Co in 1976.

Post-qualification he moved to Park Nelson in London, becoming a partner in 1980.

A partnership split took him out of the firm in 1988 and he set up his own firm.

He specialises in litigation.Route to the case: 'I have a history of referred work from the Campaign Against Stage Hypnosis.'Thoughts on the case: 'This is a ground-breaking case because it is the first time in the world that such an action has been successful against a hypnotist.

We had to be careful not to put the judge in a position where he had to decide whether hypnotism was genuine or not - that would probably have resulted in the loss of our case.

Instead it was put to him that the hypnotist was responsible for Ms Howarth when she was on stage and if her condition had changed when she left the stage - then he was liable.'Dealing with the media: 'I have a great deal of experience dealing with the media from similar hypnosis-related cases that were unsuccessful, so you expect all the attention.

You must remember that you are the second choice in the eyes of the press.

The real star is the client - all they want from you are the details of the case.'Andrew Towler