2 Harcourt lures Stone Chambers senior clerk to spark set expansion

Planning and public law set 2 Harcourt Buildings has poached Stone Chambers' senior clerk Paul Coveney as it prepares to move into bigger premises next year.

The set is planning to expand its practice areas from its current focus on planning and public law to encompass related fields such as European law, human rights and education.

At the moment a certain amount of work is done in these areas, but chambers head Robin Purchas QC said they would be given more emphasis.

Next year the chambers will move from its current home on the second floor of 2 Harcourt Buildings in Temple to its own premises, also in Temple. Lateral hires are likely to build on the current membership of seven silks and 24 junior tenants.

Purchas said: "We've certainly got room to expand. I see this as a major step forward."

Coveney said he would be taking a strategic approach to chambers management, using the opportunities for growth offered by new scope in public law.

Coveney replaces former senior clerk Alan Collier, who retired recently after 35 years in various roles at 2 Harcourt Buildings.