About our Chambers
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A long tradition
Our Chambers have been practising from 3 Paper Buildings in the Temple since Christmas Day 1892 - for over 100 years. Originally having just a handful of rooms in this large and prestigious building, we have gradually expanded so that now we are the only set of chambers established there. We also have centres in Bournemouth, Oxford, Winchester and Bristol.
3 Paper Buildings, Temple
The first building
on this site, which was formerly part of the Temple gardens, was Heyward's
Buildings of 1610. The present name, in use by the 1650s, described the
timber, lath and plaster construction then known as 'paper work' - hence
' Paper Buildings.' In 1685, following the Great Fire, the building was
rebuilt in brick, and on the north end were painted frescoes of the Virtues,
still to be seen in Charles Lamb's time. In 1838 those buildings were
also destroyed by a fire, which contemporaries attributed to the carelessness
of William Maule QC (later Mr Justice Maule) in leaving a lighted candle
by his bedside. They were immediately rebuilt in the stone you see today.
Former distinguished occupants of our Chambers include Lord Justice Montague Smith, Mr Justice Deane, Sir Frederick Bosanquet and Sir Walter Monckton. In a room on the first floor of the London chambers the author of the 'Forsyte Saga' and Nobel Prize winning novelist John Galsworthy passed his time waiting for briefs in writing his first novel.
One Chambers
We do not have annexes or branches. We are one set of chambers operating from five locations. Technology allows us to function as a single unit regardless of geography. We have a wide area network linking all clerks and members of chambers. We operate a single electronic diary. Every clerk in every centre has instant access to every barrister's availability. We make extensive use of e-mail, video conferencing, and the internet.
Strength in depth
Our Chambers are now one of the longest established,
and largest, in the country. From our beginnings over 100 years ago we
have greatly expanded in numbers, in geographical spread, and in the
range of legal work undertaken. We are now 120 strong including 11 silks and we operate not only from our original base
in the Temple but also from well equipped Chambers in Bournemouth, Oxford,
Winchester and Bristol.
We aim to provide our clients, both lay and professional, with a comprehensive, fast and skilled advocacy and advisory service. For we have a proud tradition of service to our clients by both barristers and clerks - historically rooted in our long association with the Western Circuit.
Our size and geographical spread have a number of advantages to our clients, which enables us to provide:
- A very wide range of legal work
- Considerable specialisation within that wide range
- 'Cover'
- Conferences at a geographically convenient centre
- Video Conferencing in all sites. Full use is also made of the internet and web services.
Our particular strengths include:
- General common law, especially contract, personal injury, employment, landlord and tenant and professional negligence
- Family work including ancillary relief, child care and Inheritance Act claims
- Chancery and other land related matters, including boundary disputes, easements and drainage
- Commercial work including company law, insolvency, guarantees and passing off
- All aspects of crime - from fraud to fisticuffs
- Planning and local government work
- Construction and civil engineering disputes
In addition we have individual specialists in European Community, public transport, computer law, ecclesiastical and Islamic law.
Our Chief Clerk and Senior Clerks are always happy to advise you as to the most suitable individual to deal with any particular matter. They will also assist solicitors in the creation of any documented procedure for the selection and use of our members and will discuss fees and provide estimates for anticipated work. These fees will normally reflect the time taken, the complexity of the work involved, the urgency of such work and the importance of it to the client. All members of chambers are instructed in legally aided cases and will, in appropriate circumstances, consider carrying out contingency fee and 'pro bono' work.