The demise of 11 Stone Buildings (11SB) has led to a feeding frenzy as rival chambers begin to swoop on barristers from the commercial and chancery set.
Since 11SB announced it would close at the end of this month, it has emerged that Wilberforce Chambers and Radcliffe Chambers are to take on teams comprising 11SB’s most senior silks.
Of about 40 members, Wilberforce Chambers has taken 11SB head of chambers Lexa Hilliard QC, Alan Gourgey QC and Marcia Shekerdemian QC, alongside five junior barristers: Tim Penny, Max Mallin, Iain Pester, Thomas Robinson and Laura Newton.
Radcliffe will take a further seven 11SB members, including Jeremy Cousins QC, Gary Lidington, Tina Kyriakides, Adam Deacock, Christopher Boardman, Reuben Comiskey and Dawn McCambley.
Although ironically considered strong for insolvency work, it was widely speculated throughout the Bar some weeks ago that 11SB was due to dissolve before the final membership vote on 11 September. While Hilliard QC made a statement citing ‘differing practice interests’ as the reason behind the dissolution, a number of sources within the Bar pointed to lack of confidence in chambers’ management.
‘It’s every man for himself. The clerks have been kept in the dark. I can’t see another clerking team needing much extra support.’
One senior clerk at a rival set said: ‘There have been good levels of insolvency work for both solicitors and the Bar since the financial crisis and 11SB should have benefited from that. What’s frightening is that it only takes a few issues, whether it’s not having enough silks, losing a few juniors, or even a lack of business development, to move a set from a successful to a vulnerable state.’
At press time, 11SB was operating with a crew of 16 support staff and clerks, including chambers director Michael Couling and senior clerk Matthew Curness. One current employee at 11SB told Legal Business staff were uncertain what would happen to them when chambers closes its doors: ‘It’s every man for himself. The clerks have been kept in the dark. At first we were hoping to be carried across with a group of barristers, but I have reason to believe the group has reduced in size quite drastically and, to be honest, I can’t see another clerking team needing much extra support.’
Departures from 11SB began earlier this summer, but weren’t seen to be indicative of wider problems. These included Charles Samek QC, who returned to his previous set Littleton Chambers in May and was joined by junior Jamie Riley. Finance disputes barrister Peter Head departed to Blackstone Chambers in July 2014, 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.
sarah.downey@legalease.co.uk