North of England chambers plan super-set, focus on public sector
Three leading barristers chambers in the North of England have agreed in principle to create the largest multi-disciplinary set in the country, with plans to expand their client base of local authorities and other public sector organisations.
Talks between St Johns Buildings Chambers (SJB) in Manchester, Preston and Chester, Paradise Chambers in Sheffield and India Buildings Chambers in Liverpool are said to be at an advanced stage.
If the deal goes ahead, the combined chambers would have more than 250 barristers, including 12 QCs, and 70 support staff. SJB barristers specialise in six areas: family; criminal; employment; commercial and contract; public law; clinical negligence, personal injury and professional negligence,
The creation of a powerhouse set is in part the chambers’ response to cuts to the legal aid budget and the government’s intention to look at new contracting mechanisms – such as One Case, One Fee – for publicly funded cases.
Michael Redfern QC, head of St Johns Buildings, said the mergers formed part of an ongoing strategy of growth.
He added: “This strategy allows Chambers to deliver legal services to clients in a wide geographical area to fixed and predictable costs and service standards. By working more closely with our clients and developing a business model that suits their ongoing requirements from a barristers’ Chambers we have seen our fee income and case numbers continue to rise, whilst providing a first class service.
“Clients appreciate our purpose and welcome a more modern way of working with barristers. Uncertainty prevails at the publicly funded Bar and for solicitors and their lay clients. SJB strategy is intended to address the need to work more closely with solicitors and their clients to deliver a high quality service in the most effective manner.”
A spokesman for SJB said the merged set would also look to build its business advising local authorities and other public bodies.
He said: “As local authorities have to look at how they spend their budget for legal services they are having to reconsider where money can be saved. Providing a comprehensive service from one chambers is something that we believe will be very attractive as, by having a large number of barristers in each practice area and a large number of highly qualified administration staff, we are able to agree prices for work, set strict service standards, make billing more manageable, ensure coverage at the agreed prices and standards and look at how we might innovate our service delivery to suit the local authority.
“The mergers create greater coverage and flexibility in terms of what we are able to provide to clients and enable us to join advocacy panels and provide a comprehensive service when on those panels. Of course, the additional benefit for SJB as a Chambers is that we can benefit from the economies of scale created by these mergers and hopefully, as a result, deliver all of this at the most competitive price possible.”
Paul Watson QC, Head of Paradise Chambers, said: “The proposed merger of our Chambers will be an immense step forward in the continued success of these Chambers. We firmly believe that as part of a large and highly professional organisation we are better placed to meet the massive challenges which lie ahead for the legal profession in general and the Bar in particular.”
Ray Herman, Head of India Buildings Chambers, agreed, pointing out that the provision of legal services in all disciplines is undergoing a radical transformation. “The merger with St John’s Buildings embraces the need for a forward thinking business model,” he added.
