The snail tale

The White Book launch at the Dali Universe was suitably bizarre (see right).

It started with Lord Justice May, its general editor, picking out Dali's marble snail sculpture as a metaphor for the book.

While he was desperately trying to link the hard shell to the work of the authors and editors, and the Hermes beside it to their inspiration, guests could only wonder at his courage in helping them make the more straightforward comparison of a snail with the judiciary.

It got better, sadly while many disappeared to watch the England football match: the Physicality Theatre Group performed an animated dance piece - called 'the face' - showing that the White Book represents the 'eyes and ears' of civil procedure.

What next? The Blue Book tap dance? The Guide to Professional Conduct ballet? The challenge is set.