Barristers splinter from top criminal set

Leading criminal set 3 Gray's Inn Square has been hit by the departure of its third most senior tenant, who has left with the senior clerk to form an as yet unnamed breakaway set.

Former Bar Council member Nadine Radford and senior clerk Graham Islin left Rock Tansey QC's set two weeks ago, with junior Michael Gledhill.

A second QC from Tansey's chambers, William Taylor, and another junior are also understood to be considering joining them in their new set.

3 Gray's Inn Square is one of London's top defence sets, but unusually it is yet to appoint a practice manager.

Last month it advertised for a "chambers administrator". The departure of Islin - understood to have earned about £180,000 a year - is believed to be linked to this move.

Guy Williams, Islin's replacement, said the future of Taylor and the unnamed junior would be decided during a chambers meeting due to take place over the weekend, after The Lawyer went to press.

Other leading criminal sets have had difficulties retaining tenants.

Last month The Lawyer revealed 1 Crown Office Row recently lost two senior tenants.