Battle lines are drawn

After last week's warnings from the London Fire Brigade about the anticipated spike in bondage-related call outs, I am pleased to report on their behalf that no such calls were made. Not one. Does that mean that the warning worked, or that people are more sensible (or more easily embarrassed) than they were initially given credit for? It's not necessarily bad news for lawyers, though, as the 'Fifty Shades' spike in divorce queries is likely to be a much slower burn.

The coming week sees a new release: the Global Law Summit. This feature has all the hallmarks of becoming a blockbusting thriller: a tale of good and evil, commerce over consumers, the rich and the poor, all set against the backdrop of London, England (for the US market). The hype surrounding the three-day event has been overwhelming. Coverage has not only appeared in the legal press, but has also extended to the mainstream national press.

Everyone has an opinion as to whether the government sponsored conference should be allowed to celebrate the 'best bits' of Magna Carta and if it is being used for political advantage by a coalition that continues to further restrict access to justice. Criticism has also been directed at the hefty price tag attached to the half-week lecture series, which brings together leading home-grown lawyers from the judiciary, the Bar, the solicitors' profession as well as global names from business and politics, including Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, Sir Michael Rake and Ban Ki-moon (some of whom, alas, will only be appearing by video link).

Protests against the summit have been growing in momentum, as John Van Der Luit-Drummond has already reported. A rally from Runnymede to Westminster, banner-making and rumours of the return of the papier-mache justice secretary are all scheduled, alongside the Stand-up for Legal Aid comedy fundraising night featuring Stephen K Amos, Stewart Lee and Sara Pascoe amongst others.

After such a build-up, much like last week's Fifty Shades of Grey film (and the anticipated number of emergency call-outs), the 'battle' next week may prove to be an anti-climax. Whatever happens, the SJ team will be in place to bring you the best of the action from across the range of events, inside and outside of the perimeter. Follow the SJ Twitter account for updates and insights from the week's events with a full roundup in next week's issue.

Finally, for those of you preferring to spend your days in less controversial territory, there is a third way. SJ Live returns on Tuesday 24 and Wednesday 25. Last year's event was a fantastic opportunity to meet with other lawyers from across the breadth of the country and hear from specialist speakers on a broad range of practice and management areas. Places are still available for a very reasonable fee and I'll be there from time to time to meet as many readers as possible.

Kevin Poulter, editor at large

#SJPOULTER 

editorial@solicitorsjournal.co.uk