The increased fluidity between the various limbs of the legal profession has been in evidence over the past few days as offshore litigation boutique Kobre & Kim hires Littleton Chambers’ Andrew Stafford QC as a partner and high profile Ince & Co partner Jonathan Lux joins Stone Chambers, while Devereux Chambers has also announced the arrival of tax specialist Jolyon Maugham from 11 New Square. Stafford QC, who becomes Kobre’s third QC appointment, specialises in commercial litigation, with a particular emphasis on financial services, pensions and employment related disputes.He joins James Corbett QC (formerly of Serle Court) and Jalil Asif QC (formerly of 4 New Square). He remains an associate door tenant at the 51-barrister Temple set.
Littleton recently appointed a successor to co-head the set following former leader Clive Freedman QC’s decision to stand down, with John Bowers QC serving as joint head of chambers alongside Andrew Clarke QC.
Elsewhere, Lux leaves Ince & Co after 30 years, but will continue his practice as an international commercial mediator and arbitrator from Stone Chambers as an associate member. In addition, he will also accept work as counsel from November.
Lux is one of the founder members of CEDR and co-author of ADR and Commercial Disputes. In December 2011 he featured in Lloyd’s List of top ten legal Personalities.
Maugham meanwhile, brings to Devereux Chambers a predominately litigation-based practice in the fields of direct and indirect tax, focusing on areas including employment taxation, ‘scheme’ transactions, and film financing.
Head of chambers Ingrid Simler QC said: ‘We are very pleased that Jolyon is able to join us. He is a valuable addition to our established tax team and will add to what chambers can offer in tax and other financial and commercial work.’
Maugham added that the move to the set ‘is an excellent base from which to develop my practice, acting for both taxpayers and HMRC.’
The moves come as Brick Court Chambers is both celebrating and commiserating the appointment of joint head of chambers Nicholas Green QC to the High Court as a judge. He will sit as a judge of the Queen’s Bench Division from 1 October.
Jonathan Hirst QC said: ‘He will be missed as a joint head of chambers, but more importantly as a great colleague.’
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk
See the October issue of Legal Business for an extensive insight into the barrister-clerk relationship.