London commercial and chancery chambers 11 Stone Buildings (11SB) is set to dissolve on 30 October 2015.
Head of chambers Lexa Hilliard QC confirmed to Legal Business that the members of 11 Stone Buildings have ‘decided their differing practice interests will be better served in various chambers more suited to their specific individual circumstances and areas of expertise.’
‘Members therefore, decided amicably, but with considerable regret to cease to operate as a set of chambers at 7pm on Friday 30 October 2015. Until then 11 Stone Buildings will remain fully operational as a set of chambers.’
Having been widely speculated throughout the Bar, the set is said to have agreed to dissolve last Friday (11 September). It is understood the reasons behind the closure relate to confidence in chambers’ management.
The chambers has 40 members listed including four Queen’s Counsels, three associated members, and two pupils. Members which have already departed include Charles Samek QC who returned to his previous set Littleton Chambers in May and was joined by barrister Jamie Riley.
Finance disputes barrister Peter Head departed to Blackstone Chambers last July, while civil fraud barrister Ian Smith went to 33 Chancery Lane and civil fraud and insolvency barrister Philip Hinks moved to 3 Verulam Buildings in August.
The set is also run by 16 support staff and clerks including chambers director Michael Couling and senior clerk Matthew Curness.
In operation for 40 years, 11 Stone Buildings specialises in commercial litigation, insolvency, company, banking/finance, civil fraud, professional negligence and real estate.
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk