David Clementi, the man with the legal profession's future in his hands, went public for the first time this week in a press briefing where he was scrupulous to ensure he gave absolutely no hints of his thinking.

But the scale of the task appears to have taken him aback: he revealed that work on mapping legislation governing the legal profession has so far identified laws dating back to the 16th century.

Despite reporters' best efforts, he would not otherwise be drawn - he dodged a question on what he thought of lawyers after a long career in the City, saying it was not the point of his review.

However, there was a little chink when asked whether he had ever made a complaint about a lawyer.

'I've never made a formal complaint about a lawyer,' he smiled, 'but I may have had a private word about their fees.'