2 Gray’s Inn collapse hands 15 to 4KBW

LONDON set 4 King’s Bench Walk (4KBW) has boosted its ranks with the addition of 15 barristers from collapsed set 2 Gray’s Inn Square.

The move takes 4KBW’s membership to 50 barristers and increases its employment capability from six to 15.

Its property and housing practice has increased from five members to 16.

Head of chambers Timothy Raggatt QC told The Lawyer: “We’ve never taken on such a large group as this before - it’s a great boost for chambers.”

Among the 15 new members are housing specialist Peter Leighton, who was called to the bar in 1966, and employment specialist Chris Bryden, who was called in 2003.

“Chambers need to underpin in the private sector to get public sector work,” said Raggatt. “These are very tough times for the bar.”

He added: “Most of these are a good set of people on a junior level - they are, after all, the engine room of chambers.”

In addition to the barristers, 4KBW will inherit two clerks, taking its clerking team to eight.

The set has taken the largest proportion of the former members of 2 Gray’s Inn Square, with all but two of the former set’s 26 barristers finding homes in other sets.

John Church and Paula Diaz have joined Field Court Chambers, while 4 Paper Buildings, 3 Stone Buildings, 9 Gough Square and Cloisters have taken one apiece.