FOR the outgoing Chief, Lord Woolf, there was a flurry of events last week. In the last public lecture as LCJ, Lord Woolf gave an account of his recent visit to China and impressions of its legal system, making comparisons with his two previous visits. Of course all the stops were pulled out for his visit, organised by the Icebreakers, and sponsored by the Perry Brothers in association with University College London and Asia House. But it is a sign of change in China, he said, that he was invited to address the National People’s Congress. He was also entertained in the Great Hall of the People. “In both capacities we were right royally entertained,” he said. “We banqueted — the record, if I am right, was 18 courses — off gold plate and using gold-tipped chopsticks. Alas, they are no easier to use than their more vulgar bamboo cousins.”

ALSO last week Lord Woolf gave his blessing to a new book by Richard Susskind, IT specialist and Law columnist, based on a series of interviews with leading legal names including Woolf himself, Lord Irvine of Lairg, Cherie Booth, QC, and Lord Falconer of Thoroton. Interviews in the book, published by Sweet & Maxwell (£65), were done when Susskind was Professor of Law at Gresham College. They provide a good record of the views of the current movers and shakers in the legal profession. But Susskind acknowledges that his approach was more “Frost than Paxman”; he coaxed rather than grilled. Because of that, he argues, the legal bigwigs agreed to take part. But don’t expect any scoops or hard questions. The Susskind Interviews: Legal Experts in Changing Times from 020-7393 7000.

THE law firm TJ Legal Solicitors is believed to have become the first organisation of its type in the UK to launch a specialist department to support the growing numbers of victims — of both sexes — who have become victims of cosmetic surgery negligence. Cosmetic surgery is on the increase so it was only a matter of time before a firm jumped in to offer to obtain compensation in this field. No doubt the victims are deserving but it will fuel Tony Blair’s desire to curb what some see as the “compensation culture” and won’t put off his promise of a Bill this autumn.

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