Obiter has been impressed by the dedication shown by peers sitting late into the evening to speak out on the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill.

And spare a thought for justice minister Lord McNally of Blackpool, cutting a lonely figure as often the only voice in the chamber supporting the government’s planned reforms.

Despite his disagreement with most speakers, and admitted fatigue at the number of reports cited to inform their submissions, in the chamber McNally has graciously acknowledged the expertise and experience of noble lords and ladies.

But it appears that when the Hansard stenographer is not clicking away, he is being less diplomatic. As McNally made his way to the chamber before the third committee session, an insouciant Lady Williams remarked on the number of large ringbinders weighing him down. ‘Tom, those files seem to be getting bigger every day,’ his former colleague in the Labour and Social Democratic Party said. He replied: ‘It seems the papers get thicker as the arguments get weaker.’

McNally also showed a nice turn of phrase at the Lords constitution committee, when the questions turned to magic circle firms and their slowness in encouraging solicitors to apply for the judiciary. ‘The magic circle is like a sleeping pig on the road. Give it a kick to move it and it gives a contented grunt and goes back to sleep.’

He explained that magic circle firms ‘profess great enthusiasm’ in meetings, but are short on action. ‘Scribbling in the margin that "the prime minister is taking a personal interest in this matter" often helps to get things moving,’ McNally added. And to judge by his evidence, the Lib Dem peer clearly enjoyed the Opening of the Legal Year. ‘The judges in procession were like something from (Walt Disney’s) Fantasia, all looking alike,’ he said.