Smile, you're on video camera

Lawyers have been getting on their bikes, switching to the bus and even taking to the water to beat the rail strike.

Meanwhile, lawyers in the Yorkshire and London offices of Dibb Lupton Broomhead have been taking things easy.

The firm has recently unveiled a video conference facility which allows partners and clients to link up - despite being 200 miles apart.

Dibbs will not only cut down the money it spent on rail travel, but will also slash the time lawyers spend on trains - or not, as the case may be.

"The rail strikes are not bringing business to a standstill here," says Andrew Chappell, head of the Leeds office.

"The facility will be used for meetings with clients and counsel as well as for internal meetings," he adds.

Dibbs has installed a British Telecom VC5000 which will allow the firm to link up with its overseas clients.