Reasonable doubt for a Reasonable Fee
By Graham Davies

I write today in praise of the two Oldest Presentational Professions: lawyers (of which I am one) and PR consultants. Over the New Year, their position as the Premier Pimps of Misfortune was sealed by various articles printed in several British newspapers.

Actually, "various" is not accurate. The "articles" were virtually identical: solid proof that they were essentially copies of a successful PR press release.

The topic was drunk driving. The person featured was the affluent solicitor who managed to persuade magistrates that a post-celebration Alex Ferguson was driving along the hard shoulder because he desperately, but reasonably, was looking for a toilet.

Apparently, this socially responsible advocate (I will not name him because I refuse to play along with the game) has said that he would like to help the government to draft legislation that lowers the drink-driving limit from 80mg to 50mg.

Well, I have news for him. My 2 law degrees and 14 years of experience at the Criminal Bar tell me that this suggested change merely requires our esteeemed lawmakers to change an 8 to a 5.

So, no need for his expert help. But his press release clearly showed that he was gagging for column inches.

How strange. Why on earth would a solicitor who specialises in defending drunk driving cases want to get in the papers on New Year's Eve?