History of Criminal Law at 3 Paper Buildings

We are very proud of the history of our set of Chambers and the way in which it has developed during the last hundred years. Over that time we have developed into one of the country's largest and most respected criminal law practice groups, enjoying a leading reputation, particularly on the Western Circuit.

A number of eminent criminal law practitioners have been either members or associates of Chambers. In recent times these include Mr Justice Maurice Kay (Head of Chambers 1990-95); Mr Justice Forbes (recently in the news for hearing the trial of the Harold Shipman Murder case); His Honour Judge Mota Singh (one of the first members of an ethnic minority to be appointed to the judicial bench); Patrick Back Q.C. (Head of Chambers 1972-1990 and Leader of the Western Circuit 1986-1989); His Honour Judge Edgar Fay Q.C. (Head of Chambers until 1972); His Honour Judge Beashel (Resident Judge at Dorchester Crown Court); and their Honours Judge Main Q.C. and Judge Harris Q.C.

Edgar Fay's History of a set of Chambers, recalls that in 1911 Cecil Hayes joined 3 Paper Buildings, bringing 'a new and lively air' to chambers. Shortly after he joined, H.T. Wright also became a member, an exclusive criminal practitioner, and criminal practitioners followed him to our door in the years following, forming by 1917 the origins of today's Criminal Law Group.

Cecil Hayes made his name in two cases which formed a sequel to the Oscar Wilde scandals. In one, in 1914, T.W.H. Crosland, a journalist, was defended by Hayes, when charged at the Old Bailey with conspiracy with Lord Alfred Douglas to pervert the course of justice. Hayes was in the limelight again in 1920 when he defended Mrs Bamberger, a notorious courtesan, charged with perjury. Hayes' line of defence was that one was expected to lie: "this little bit of delicate china that can be smashed and thrown on the dust heap; she does not matter. She is neither a peeress nor a cabinet minister. They can begin to clean their Augean stables with her". She was, however, convicted.

By 1939 members were beginning to lay down the foundations of what was to be become 3 Paper Buildings historic association with the Western Circuit thanks to dock briefs and 'one blessed firm of Somerset solicitors, getting an occasional money brief'.

Fay writes: 'The War changed everything. By early 1940 everyone was away on some form of war service'. It was during the war years that Chambers forged an association with the prestigious chambers of Sir Walter Monkton. His chambers premises had been bombed, and his members and clerks were invited to share with us at 3 Paper Buildings. The two sets became intertwined during those war years, sharing a geographical base.

Chambers began to grow in strength in the post war years taking on new tenants and strengthening its power base on the Western Circuit. By the end of the 1960's and early 70's, work, especially criminal legal aid work, was increasing rapidly. As that volume of work increased and Chambers reputation grew, so did the number of tenants to service that workload.