No bargy

The chequered history of Anglo-Argentine relations took a turn for the better on Tuesday when the Law Society hosted a reception for the Society of British and Argentine Lawyers. Veterans of South America know from hard experience that it periodically surfaces as the next big thing and as the economy enters the doldrums it makes sense to look for new markets — especially if you have links with area. Peter Taylor, who chairs SOBAL, has deep roots in the region and a well-earned reputation for his work with Argentine clients. What’s more, the turnout on Tuesday was impressive. There was a lively collection of representatives from London’s more interesting firms – Withers, Finers Stephens Innocent, Farrer & Co, Manches, Fox Lawyers and so on, plus Denton Wilde Sapte and Eversheds from the bigger outfits. No show whatsoever, however, from the “magic circle”. Probably a bit too racy and exciting for their delicate dispositions.

On your marks

I’m happy to report growing interest in the new, third leg of the Olympic Games. After the Olympics and the Paralympics will come the Paralegals during which lawyers from across the globe will compete to prove that competitors in the other two events had not been cheating (or infringing the rules in some other way).

British hopefuls had their chance to show their paces last week. Tipped for gold is Adrian Barr-Smith, of Denton Wilde Sapte, whose performance in the Dwain Chambers Lifetime Handicap was much admired after his western analogy. “Like the Earp brothers,” he said, “the BOA legal team has finally been drawn into the gunfight at the OK Corral which has for some time appeared to many to be inevitable but which they had hoped to avoid.” Gold medal or what!

Meanwhile, Toby Yerburgh, of Collyer Bristow, is much fancied in the Oar War Classic after his championing of the rower Toby Garbett to enable him to get a retrial for rowing too slowly. (Or it’s something like that. These sports stories are too complicated for me to understand.) “This has been a triumph for my client,” said Toby of Toby. But he still did not get a medal.

Propping up the bar

The dream ticket this week was for invitations to both the One Crown Office Row party (held on Tuesday) and the One Essex Court party scheduled for this evening. While 1COR’s summer party was in the Middle Temple gardens, OEC may score higher for having a rooftop summer party at the Coq d’Argent in Poultry, where I’m told the legal chickens come home to roost.

French without tears

For the first time, starting in March, Gide Loyrette Nouel, the French international law firm, is recruiting trainees for its London office. Amazingly they won’t even have to speak French. Is this the final triumph of English?

edward.fennell@yahoo.co.uk

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