A cunning plan

Well, I say 'lunch', but given that the opening of parliament was moved from its usual date in September to early June to allow the coalition to get the job done, the lunch didn't start until 7pm.

The great and the good were in attendance, with the lord chancellor looming over assembled masses like a great spectre. The top table was a veritable 'who's who' of the legal profession: Lords Leveson, Dyson, Bach and Faulks to name but a few.

CILEx president Stephen Gowland made a brave stand in his speech and, undoubtedly, made the lord chancellor feel a little uncomfortable. Cunningly making the welcome before the main course, like a nervous groom at a wedding, he was able to settle in for the rest of the evening without any more ceremonial duties distracting him from his food.

But at this particular marriage, best-man duties fell to the guest of honour. Showing either contempt for those assembled or an incredible bravery, Mr Grayling tackled head-on the crippling cuts he was making to legal aid and access to justice.

The speech was rounded off with an invitation to the profession. The lord chancellor said the door was open to ideas that were "quick wins" to "make a real difference now as well as in the long term". If that is a challenge you are ready to take up, please get in touch with us at SJ and we will be sure to pass it on.

Chris Grayling would have been a curious choice of guest at the following day's Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year awards. Now in its 12th year, the awards celebrate the work of those at the sharp end of justice and 12 winners were selected from an already impressive shortlist.

Had the lord chancellor attended, he would have seen and heard first-hand the effect the cuts are already having. A video produced by the Justice Alliance, which itself spawned at least two winners on the night, brought together victims and celebrity supporters in a heartfelt plea to sign the petition and declare #IAMFORJUSTICE.

I was sad to hear that CILEx's energetic chief executive Diane Burleigh OBE has announced that she will step down from the role at the end of the year, having led the organisation for the past 15 years.

With David Edmonds (LSB) and Antony Townsend (SRA) having stood down from their respective senior posts earlier this year and fellow top table guest Des Hudson soon to retire from the Law Society, a change in direction is apparent.

Perhaps there is something in the water or wine? One more for the road, Chris?

Kevin Poulter is editor at large of SJ

Follow his tweets at @SJ_Weekly (#SJPoulter)

editorial@solicitorsjournal.co.uk