Dyers Chambers and 1 Paper Buildings merge to create new set

Drystone Chambers, a new London set whose members have recently been instructed by some 43 different local authorities across England and Wales, has been created through the merger of Dyers Chambers and 1 Paper Buildings.

Dyers Chambers, which specialised in criminal law, public law and business defence, was understood to have been the most popular set for instruction by local authorities in the London Boroughs Legal Alliance in 2014/15.

Members of Dyers Chambers were instructed for both prosecution and defence in cases of high value fraud and serious crime, the restraint and confiscation of property, extradition, civil recovery, trading standards, health and safety, as well as regulatory and disciplinary proceedings.

One Paper Buildings meanwhile was a prominent set of chambers with historic connection to East Anglia and the South West. Members have acted at every level of the criminal justice system in: general crime, corporate crime, VAT and tax fraud, proceeds of crime and regulatory/disciplinary tribunals. 

Notable cases in which Drystone members have acted include:

  • R. v. Mitchells & Butlers PLC (fatal food-poisoning case, Snaresbrook Crown Court);
  • R v. Saleh Ali (Court of Appeal – assessment of benefit in planning enforcement cases);
  • R. v. SAS Fire & Security & others (Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations – sale of security systems to the elderly and vulnerable);
  • Operation Augusta (a counterfeit golf club conspiracy).

Andrew Campbell-Tiech QC, joint head of Drystone Chambers, said: “This business decision is the result of our common ethos of ensuring excellence by public service. We are all alive to the demands of the age in which we live and committed to investing in the future of all practice areas. We are confident we will be able to provide an enhanced breadth of services to individuals, businesses, and public authorities.”

Karim Khalil QC, joint head of chambers, said: “This merger represents a shared vision of the future of the Bar: better concentrations of expertise and significant investments in client service, business development, IT and premises. We expect significant growth over the next five years and our strength and depth will benefit all our clients.”