Kings Bench Walk opens up Chelmsford chambers

John Malpas reports

The set of David Cocks QC, 5 King’s Bench Walk, has made its first excursion out of London with the opening of an annex in Chelmsford.

The annex will be used as a primary base for around ten criminal practitioners, including three Silks, whose practice is predominantly based in East Anglia.

Tenant Anthony Arlidge QC said the annex was the chambers’ response to increasing competition in the area, sparked off by the opening of a number of provincial chambers.

The annex would be convenient for local firms of solicitors as well as for the tenants who lived in the area, he added.

“We’ve always had a fair amount of work in East Anglia and we have recently taken on some people who do a lot of work in the area,” he said.

The annex is the second chambers to open in Chelmsford. Tindall Chambers moved out of the Inns of Court 11 years ago to set up shop in the town.

The chambers, which has just opened an annex in St Albans, says it has thrived since the move.

Senior clerk Paul Green said: “I think the opening of a second set may encourage more solicitors to instruct locally.”