There but for the grace of law

There's nothing like gently pointing out the occasional foibles of your competitors.

The latest to practise this ancient art is Birmingham firm Wragge & Co, which has issued a warning to employers about their liability for employees' offensive e-mails.

It comes, as the press release solemnly announces in the second sentence, after 'a recent incident at law firm Charles Russell' (see [2001] Gazette, 13 September, 5).

'The problem with e-mails,' said associate Anna Fletcher, 'is that although they feel like a casual chat at the time, they leave a permanent record of what, in the cold light of day, can be tasteless, sexist or racist comments.'