Cornwall Street Chambers to open in May

Birmingham-based set Cornwall Street Chambers is to launch officially this May, with the ribbon being cut by Mr Justice Anthony Hughes.

The set, which was formerly No 6 chambers, has moved from the Birmingham barrister centre, Fountain Court, to the heart of the city's commercial and business hub.

Peter Cooke, head of the chambers' police law practice, said continuing hikes to rent in the Fountain Court area meant that the set decided to "take the bold step" to reduce its costs.

"In a rare move for Birmingham we've taken up the freehold of our new grade II listed building, which was secured by a pension purchase arrangement," said Cooke.

The new building has the capacity to allow the set to expand its practice, but Cooke said this is something it will do organically as opposed to through mergers, as mega-sets No 5 Chambers and St Philips Chambers have done.

"We see ourselves staying in the traditional collegiate framework as opposed to going down the corporate route," said Cooke.