MORE than 400 lawyers and distinguished guests packed the Adelphi Hotel for Liverpool Law Society’s glamorous annual dinner on Thursday.

The former Lord Chief Justice of Northern Ireland and controversial Hutton Report author Lord Hutton was the night’s keynote speaker.

The black tie event is said to be the society’s most prestigious evening.

Also joining society president Charlie Jones on the top table were His Honour Tony Ensor, a former Weightmans partner and now a circuit judge in Manchester, and the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Dame Lorna Muirhead.

Both Lord Hutton, who proposed the toast to the society, and Mr Ensor, who toasted the guests, were personally invited by the president.

Mr Jones knows Lord Hutton through his father, who was a Lord Justice of Appeal and Attorney General of Northern Ireland.

Mr Jones said: “The top table was good. I had some very good chat with the Bishop of Liverpool and Dame Lorna, who is very devoted to her role as Lord Lieutenant of the county.

“I think Lord Hutton found Merseyside rather enjoyable.”

Mr Jones also made an address, which he ended by singing Percy French’s Mountains of Mourne.

Last year’s president, Anne Heseltine, gave her 2008 speech in rhyme.