Blue skies for Gray's Inn

Do you bet on the weather? If so, Obiter’s turning tipster – in London after work finishes on Thursday 14 June, there will be sun. This confidence rests on the fact of the Legal Charities Garden Party, which happens then and, from memory, never needs a wet weather venue. Last year was no exception – storm clouds again threatened the Gray’s Inn venue, before rumbling off to drench less philanthropic people.

That will leave attendees with the usual cheering mix of jazz, steel drums, a few chains of office and plenty of fizz. The garden party, its chair Edward Macey-Dare reminds Obiter was first held in 1968, so marks half a century of raising funds for the charities which provide financial support for lawyers and their dependents who find themselves in need. Since 1987, it’s raised £0.5m for the Solicitors’ Benevolent Association, the Barristers’ Benevolent Association, the CILEx Benevolent Fund, the IBC Benevolent Fund and LawCare.

‘Due to ever increasing demands on resources, these charities need our support more than ever,’ Macey-Dare says. ‘Please do come and join us on Thursday 14 June between 6pm and 8pm, enjoy meeting old friends (and perhaps meeting new ones too!) and celebrate this unique occasion in the legal calendar – this is a networking event like no other, with all branches of the profession represented, from senior members of the judiciary, to barristers, solicitors, legal executives, paralegals and law students. Even our own president will be gracing us with his presence!’

Lessons have been learned down the years. The presence of Princess Anne in 1972 led to a run on the champagne – not wishing to have money change hands in the presence of royalty, ‘unlimited champagne’ was included in the price of the ticket, and the champagne ran out.