Star-studded Winter Ball collapses as lawyers refuse to buy £165 tickets

A prestigious lawyers' ball promising an exotic mix of high-ranking judges, champion ballroom dancers and the prosecutor in the Jill Dando murder trial, has been cancelled after barristers and solicitors refused to stump up £165 for a ticket.

The event, to be held at the Hilton Hotel in London later this month, had been touted as a "sparkling occasion" offering the opportunity to meet lawyers and judges from around the world.

Special guests were to include dancers Chris Hawkins and Hazel Newberry, winners of the British National Professional Championships 2000, and the leading barrister Orlando Pownall, who appeared for the prosecution in the murder trial of Dando's killer, Barry George.

But the organisers, a company called Hanston, confirmed yesterday that the event would not be taking place, admitting that take-up of the £165 tickets for the four-course dinner and dance was "disappointing".

The firm, based in north-west London, had gone to great lengths to target the great and the good of the legal profession for their "Winter Ball", which also promised "enchanting music provided by the Royal Academy of Music".

But lawyers complained yesterday of the "harsh" terms for refunds, which would be for half the ticket price, and would be granted only if requests were made in writing "60 days prior to the event".

It was not clear whether a cancellation by the company meant full refunds would be offered to all ticket-holders.

A spokeswoman for Hanston refused to discuss the issue of refunds or the prospect of any future ball.

The Winter Ball is the latest in a long line of lavish entertainment laid on for the legal profession that has ended in failure or scandal.

Lord Irvine of Lairg, the Lord Chancellor, was caught up in the "cash for wigs" affair last year when it emerged he had written to lawyers asking for donations to the Labour party in return for an invitation to the Society of Labour Lawyers' dinner.

And in the summer, judges refused to host a charity ball for lawyers after reports of drunken barristers, loud rock music and a chewed-up medieval lawn.

The Inns of Court ball, attracting 2,500 barristers and their guests each year, had gained a reputation among the senior members of the Inns for raucous behaviour, but also raised up to £100,000 for charity.

Groups and solo artists who had played at the event included Big Country, Bananarama, Jimmy Somerville, Dannii Minogue and Hugh Cornwell.

In the end, the masters of the Benches of Inner Temple wrote to the organisers telling them they were planning to pull out of last year's event, which they were due to host. The reason given was concern about the Inner Temple lawn, which was damaged at the 1998 ball. While the annual event proved unpopular with some of the judges, the young Bar flocked to it.

Joe Rich, the founder chairman of the Inns of Court ball, said yesterday that he was concerned that events which had tried to capitalise on a gap in the legal entertainment market were proving so unsuccessful.

"Failed, poor, badly supported and uncompetitive events, such as this one, cost the organisers a lot of money and leave a bitter taste in people's mouths, whether they actually happen or not. I am sorry that the people associated with this ball have learned this lesson."