Awards are a tricky business. Every City lawyer professes not to care whether or not they receive one and yet there is much pouting if there isn’t a trophy to decorate firms’ lobbies and mantelpieces.

Ashurst private equity maestro Charlie Geffen took emoting to another level at a recent industry awards bash at which his firm was triumphant.

No sooner had leveraged finance partner Martyn Rogers come back to the table, plaque in hand, had Geffen asked to see the award, which he promptly smashed on the table.

Whether this was in a fit of pique or clumsiness Tulkinghorn is not too sure.

It was left to one of Tulkinghorn’s scribes to patch up the award. But whether Geffen had to patch up some relationships back in the office, Tulkingkhorn has yet to find out.