London set 39 Essex Street is poised to launch a Manchester branch in June.
London set 39 Essex Street is poised to launch a Manchester branch in June.
Initially barristers will commute to the base from the chambers’ London headquarters, but the set has long-term aims to recruit locally.
Chambers director Michael Meeson said more than 60 per cent of the set’s work came from outside London, adding that it needed to accommodate that demand.
“We’ve also seen the regionalisation of the Administrative Court, with local solicitors being strongly encouraged to make use of it and judges in support of it” Meeson said.
“There’s less of a willingness to bring cases to London,” he added.
Manchester’s Administrative Court opened in January. Birmingham, Leeds and Cardiff will also open courts this year.
“Who we send up there will be dictated by the kind of work we’re instructed on,” said Meeson. “Manchester is a hive of activity. The success of the bar is dependent on flexibility. Having a local base is a huge step forward.”
The news comes after Barlow Lyde & Gilbert raided DLA Piper for personal injury duo Rob Muttock and Mark Hemsted to launch in Manchester.
