Muddy waters

Riparian torrent soaks the golden triangle ... Firms in Brisvegas retreat to the Sofitel, the cellar door at Clovely Wines or dry digs interstate ... Sir Terence O'Rort surfaces

Just a short note to let readers know that your Brisvegas correspondent has survived the flood of 2011.

Chateau O'Rort came through the dampness unscathed, however the same cannot be said of a number of Brisvegan law shops.

Most of the larger national first tier firms are accommodated in the splendid luxury of the golden triangle - the Riverside Centre, Central Plaza Two, Riparian Plaza and Waterfront Place.

The views from these eyries perched next to the Brisbane river is splendid, designed to inspire shock and awe in the clients.

At the moment the only thing visible for miles around is water and mud.

I hope none of the partner's Mercedes or Porches were left unattended in the underground car parks, which are now deep in sludge. 

The view from the carpark entrance at Waterfront PlaceElectrical switchboards and sub-station hardware such as transformers are also commonly located in the basement or lower levels of these buildings and Energex has cut supply to most of the golden triangle precinct until the water can be pumped out and repairs and re-building completed.

Most of the larger firms had their computer servers on-site and with the electricity down they are quite paralysed.

To stay vaguely operational telephone and fax lines are being diverted to interstate offices.

Effectively the largest firms in the city have closed their premises until further notice.

This is sure to play havoc with the January fee targets.

Riparian Place: Clutz's front doorSome have set up temporary offices and emergency web-sites. Here’s a roll-call ...

• McCullough Robertson - closed from January 11 until January 24, all calls diverted to Newcastle and Sydney offices. Temporary offices commenced on Monday (Jan. 17) at 324 Queens Street and 210 Musgrave Road, Red Hill.

• DLA Philips Fox - closed on January 11, but staff are working remotely. The firm says it remains operational.

• Clayton Utz - The aptly named Riparian Plaza closed on January 12 and clients have been asked to contact Brisbane partners by mobile phone.

• Freehills - Central Plaza One closed its shop on January 11, with urgent client matters and some deal teams transferred to Sydney and Melbourne.

• Dibbs Barker - Level 23 Central Plaza Two closed on 11 January 11 until further notice. Telephone and faxes diverted to the Sydney office.

• Mallesons - closed on January 11 until further notice with work being shifted to other .

• Blake Dawson - closed on 11 January until further notice and is likely to be closed for at least a week.

Clovely EstateHats off to McCullough Robertson for establishing a disaster status page and for creating a temporary office at the Clovely Estate Winery Cellar Door at 210 Musgrave Road, Red Hill.

McCullough Robertson supremo Brett Heading is the owner of Clovely Wines and according to its website the cellar door ... 

"features an elegant relaxed environment ... and provides wine lovers with an opportunity to sample the full Clovely Estate experience without leaving the heart of Brisbane."

Allens Arthur Robinson has established a temporary office at the adjoining Madeline, Montmarte and Trocadero rooms at the Sofitel Hotel. According to the firm's website these rooms are "just up the escalator from the lobby".  

The Sofitel boasts that these venues make "a stylish venue for any top-end lunch or dinner".

Allens has also staked out space in the Evans Room at the Dockside Convention Centre, Kangaroo Point.

The Supreme Court says it is "sitting as scheduled". In reality, it seems that everything except chambers applications and a few registrar hearings have been adjourned.

Atkinson J: on muddinessJust about all the District Court's work had been adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Maybe while things are quiet Daphnis could lead his tribe over to the cellar door or the Troc for a few quiet table wines.

The last word must go to Justice Roslyn Atkinson who, in a recent speech on judgment writing, defined "muddiness" in the following way:

"Muddiness is not merely a disturber of prose, it is also a destroyer of life, of hope: death on a highway caused by a badly worded road sign, heartbreak among lovers caused by a misplaced phrase in a well-intentioned letter, anguish of a traveller expecting to be met at a railroad station and not being met because of a slipshod telegram."

More Clovelly Estate, anyone?

Sir Terence O’Rort reporting