Farringdon secures QC for head role

Criminal set Farringdon Chambers has parachuted in Paul Purnell QC from 187 Fleet Street to become its head of chambers.

Andrew Hill has stepped aside to make way for Purnell, who joined the set six weeks ago.

Purnell becomes the first silk to join Farringdon, which was established five years ago.

With the former Treasury counsel at the head of the helm the set has launched an aggressive recruitment drive in a bid to expand in line with its increasing workload.

Since Farringdon's launch in 2002 the set has already expanded from six members to 25.

Farringdon clerk Michael Bazeley said Hill will remain at chambers and stood down willingly.

"The membership as a whole made the decision to have Paul as the head of chambers," said Bazeley. "It simply made sense to have a QC as the head."