Chambers merger to take place

A merger of commercial chambers 3 Stone Buildings and chancery and commercial set 13 Old Square, both housed within the Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn, has been confirmed to take place at the start of the new financial year in April.

This news comes after 13 of the 29 barristers listed as a part of Stone Buildings in October have departed the chambers since that time.

The merger puts an end to months of speculation at the bar regarding the future of 3 Stone Buildings, amid rumours that they were in merger talks with a variety of different sets.

And it is further bad news for the commercial bar after 11 Stone Buildings closed in 2015, leading to a chorus of predictions that there would be further closures and mergers to come in 2016.

John McDonnell QC, currently head of chambers at 13 Old Square, will remain in his position as head of chambers for the new set, and Justin Brown, senior clerk at 13 Old Square, will hold his position also. It was Brown that confirmed the merger.

He went on to add: “We have exciting plans for the future and look forward to revealing them very shortly. For now, it’s a case of watch this space.”

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