In these straitened times for legal aid lawyers, Obiter was impressed to hear of a fresh initiative from David Pickup, eponymous partner at Pickup & Scott.

Industry at Pickup’s firm is not in doubt, of course, but he reflects in an email to Obiter that ‘it is difficult to explain to people that being busy is not the same as being profitable’, adding, ‘legal aid is unprofitable and is difficult to get – the benefits people usually only write once a year to check if the person is alive, and legal aid clients are not always the sort to file away documents neatly’.

But Pickup may have hit on one of the more innovative multi-disciplinary practice models in pursuit of boosting his profits, utilising the plentiful Aylesbury sunshine.

He is planning to grow tomatoes in the yard at the back of the office. ‘We have an old building with a small yard.

'When we moved in we said we would sit there and eat our lunch in peace and quiet in the sun. We never have done, of course, as we never have had the time. Good intentions soon disappear.

'But a few plants in growbags might look homely.’

While it is unclear whether the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Food Standards Agency should be the primary regulator in future, the business plan looks sound – Pickup’s chosen tomato variety is called ‘Moneymaker’.