What is a busy lawyer to do for fun these days? What makes for a suitable activity to keep one occupied when not at work? It seems that drinking is probably the most popular pass-time for most but it’s hardly something to write home about. On a more constructive level, maybe a bit of tiddlywinks or philosophy for the indoor types, or a bit of excercise – croquet or squash perhaps for those of a sporting disposition? Who knows what your sensible, professional young lawyer gets up to in their spare time?

Well it seems that one Allen & Overy associate likes to write the odd steamy novel in hers. It was widely reported towards the end of last week that Deidre Dare who publishes her novel, Expat, on www.deidredare.com has been banned by her firm from continuing to write. Her homepage says that "Philosophy Can be Sexy" and sports the following quote; "I have no intention of giving everything to a cock on a horse with a bright diamond ring." Which gives you some sense of her writing style. It also has some rather suggestive artwork adorning each page. However, the site then states… 

The Author has been forbidden from publishing further chapters of Expat for the time being. She will resume if and when she is permitted to.

Aside from the slinky photos of the author and some ‘interesting’ poetry, the centrepiece is of course the novel, which runs into 12 chapters and sports such headings as "Chapter 9 – Russia With Love" and "Chapter 12 – Coming After the Russian Holidays!" (actually we were not sure if this was just a statement of intent or a heading but we think you get the picture). A&O’s high command is understood to diaspprove of the steamy content which they obviously do not consider conforms to "the highest standards of professional conduct".The main charachter Dasha is more interested in sex than philosophy it seems.

So, has Ms Dare overstepped the mark or is A&O’s censorship rather prudish?