Let music be the food of law

Law firms do find themselves involved in all sorts of artistic goings-on, Obiter finds.

Home counties firm Charles Lucas & Marshall has helped sponsor the commissioning of a piece of music for a baritone and string quartet, set to three early poems by James Joyce.

The music's author, Richard Gwilt (pictured with the viola), stumbled across the poetry while browsing through a second-hand bookshop and apparently 'felt the adolescent poetic stirrings of the youthful Joyce would make perfect material for a new chamber music piece'.

The first to hear the piece were staff at the firm ahead of its debut at the Hungerford and District community arts festival.

Senior partner Sue Burnell is pictured with the music.

Ms Burnell, Obiter watchers will be aware, glories in the ancient title of Tuttiman to the Hocktide court in Hungerford, one of the few remaining Manorial courts.

So nothing seems strange to her.