Devereux names new chambers head as 10-year veteran steps down

Simler, who has been with chambers since 1987, said her predecessor had worked to modernise the set, initiating a corporate structure in the clerks room and introducing a chief executive position for Beverly Landais (21 May 2009). The set also recruited long standing Fountain Court clerk Vince Plant to lead its restructured clerking team (7 September 2010).

“Colin began as head of chambers in 2002,” Simler said. “He recognised that the bar had to modernise and his leadership led to the appointment of a new chief executive and senior clerk. He also helped strengthen our core practices by bringing in some key people.”

Simler said her aim was to build on the progress made by Edelman and build collegiate relationships within chambers.

The set, she added, would not go down the Legal Services Act route to build a corporate structure to capture work.

“Our view is that procurecos are not for us,” she said. “We want to offer a quality service and believe that the best way to do this is to build on our brand and strengthen the relationships we already have.”

As head of chambers, Simler will work with the set’s supervision committee, headed by Bruce Carr QC, to manage chambers. She said her role was to maintain harmony within the set and ensure cross fertilisation between practice groups. “We don’t want to be working in silos and have worked hard to ensure that we don’t,” she explained.

The set holds regular team meetings as well as know-how sessions, which all barristers are encouraged to attend so they can learn about what else is happening in chambers.

Simler has been appointed for a five-year stint as chambers head.