When Kazakh mining company ENRC brought a mammoth lawsuit against the Serious Fraud Office, international firm Dechert and a former City partner, commentators had plenty to chew over. Allegations of bill inflation, newspaper leaks, and John Le Carré-style intrigue were all on the menu. Few expected quite how much food would feature in the legal drama, however, which kicked off via video link last week.

In the first five days alone, the commercial court has been told about trips to Sloane Square’s Chelsea Brasserie; lunches of fillet steak and rosé champagne; breakfast at the RAC Club; visits to the Scotch Malt Whisky Society; dinner at Adam Street Members Club; and croissants with the solicitor general.

Quite how the respondents’ culinary antics relate to the claim – in which ENRC is seeking at least £70m in damages from the Serious Fraud Office – is not entirely clear.

However, as the case moves off the computer and into the Royal Courts of Justice next Monday, Obiter suspects some participants will expect more than a Pret a Manger sandwich during the lunch hour.

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