Our client was invited to appear before a parliamentary select committee inquiring into the credit crunch. As the head of a large financial institution,
he was used to being treated with respect.

We explained that MPs were at best sceptical and at worst hostile to his industry. He could therefore expect a rough ride.

Then, to the alarm of our client’s colleagues, we hurled a few aggressive questions at him: "How much was your bonus last year?" "Are you proud of your industry?" Over the course of the next two hours, we developed ways of answering questions in a clear way, using lay language and avoiding the temptation to rise to the questioners’ barbs.

When our client appeared in front of the real thing, his interrogators were as rude as we had expected, but he was ready for their abuse. "Water off a duck's back," he said, as he came out.