When it comes to fighting a cold, nothing beats curling up in front of the TV with a nice cup of hot water with honey and lemon.

So spare a thought for Landmark Chambers barrister Fiona Scolding QC, who had to defend the lord chancellor in a High Court row with the Law Centres Network over legal aid housing duty contracts ‘mid cold’.

Scolding felt compelled to apologise to Mrs Justice Andrews DBE before the case began and had even advised opposing counsel – Jason Coppel QC of 11 KBW – not to come near her.

‘If it’s any consolation, I know exactly how you feel,’ Andrews said, revealing that she too was under the weather and had taken a Lemsip just before she entered court. ‘Hopefully Mr Coppel will remain germ-free,’ Andrews said.

Obiter noticed Coppel taking sips of water throughout the morning. Either he knows that staying hydrated is key to fending off a cold or he was parched from speaking for more than two hours without a break.

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