Missive attack

What started out as a bit of a wheeze has caught the musical imaginations of many of our members, and as at the final week of January, I am thrilled to report that we already have six bands paid and signed up for LexFactor, our inaugural charity battle of the bands. There’s talk of two more emerging from the wings, so we should have a full night of entertainment on 12 March on the Corn Exchange stage in Edinburgh.

Who are these budding rock stars, you ask? The order of the bands below may not reflect their performance slot.

• The Argyll Cycle - Gilson Gray LLP, Ferguson & Co, HRC Recruitment and Scottish Ambulance Service
• A Flock of Legals - Shepherd and Wedderburn LLP
• The Submissions – Edinburgh Bar Association
• Blurness Paullice - Burness Paull
• The Paroling Stones - BTO Solicitors LLP, DWF and Faculty of Advocates
• Bail'her' Swift – Marshall Wilson, The Law Society of Scotland and Public Defence Solicitors' Office (PDSO)

An Oban-based firm made an initial enquiry and then laid down a marker for next year, claiming lack of time to rehearse (Eh, that hasn’t stopped Bail’her Swift!), but it’s wonderful there’s enthusiasm for a repeat event even before we know this one’s been successfully delivered.

Set-lists are being honed; old Iron Maiden tour T-shirts dug out of the attic; and there are whispers of musical “differences” from competitive hopefuls. Let’s hope those wane and on the night there’ll be “a lot of love in the room”, as our current President is fond of saying.

We have of course secured an all-star judging panel who will assess each set, provide immediate feedback and choose an overall winner. That’s where you can play a critical part. Buy a ticket, come along, cheer, dance and sing along with your favourites. Where else will you get to see and hear six, perhaps eight bands perform for £20 (+booking fee)? And best of all, it’s for a very good cause – for the future of our inclusive profession, the Lawscot Foundation, supporting individuals to have a career in law where otherwise there would be none. So come on feel the noise...  – and you can follow @LexFactorBattle on Twitter.

Let me shout out to Titlesolv and Locktons: their sponsorship has helped us cover the cost of kit hire; and to Nick, Fiona and Natasha at Law Rocks, for their generosity with their time and skills. You guys know how to do this, and soundcheck and stage management on the night will be safe in your hands.