Hytner QC issues writ against senior clerk

Leading silk Benet Hytner is suing his respected senior clerk Clive Hurrell for the return of money he alleges Hurrell was responsible for.

Hytner, head of Byrom Chambers in London and Manchester, has issued a High Court writ on behalf of himself and other members of the chambers against Hurrell, of Eldred Road, Dover.

In it he alleges that Hurrell, who in the Eighties was on the management committee of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks, breached his fiduciary duties between April 1991 and August this year. He also claims damages for breach of a 1991 employment contract.

Hytner wants an account of all money received by Hurrell between the dates and claims that Hurrell should pay back any money found due.

Hurrell, appointed senior clerk to Byrom Chambers in 1991, has been suspended from chambers pending further inquiries and could not be contacted at the address given on the writ.

Hytner was on holiday as The Lawyer went to press. His lawyer, Simon Beckell of Gordon Dadds, said he was under instructions not to reveal any details of the case.

No date has yet been set for the hearing.

Byrom Chambers has 24 tenants and covers a range of common law work, including family, personal injury and intellectual property.