Swiss lawyer rolls with the punches

Philip Ruttley is well known to the Gazette, having featured over the years as a leading international trade law practitioner with more knowledge of the workings of the WTO than some would consider healthy.

So a recent press release sent out by his firm, Clyde & Co, sparked a burning but delicate question: why was he suddenly being referred to as Philippe? After spending several minutes discussing his appointment by the UN to a panel to help developing countries in trade disputes (see [2001] Gazette, 6 September, 8), we could hold it in no longer.

'I've been ragged mercilessly about it,' Monsieur Ruttley sighed, explaining that it is actually his proper name.

'I'm Swiss-born and although I was educated in England, I've got fed up with being taken for an Englishman.' This may not go down too well with his partners, many of whom are - let's not beat about the bush, English - but Mr Ruttley said his non-English clients approve: 'They say "At last, someone who's francophone".'