Maitland set for 9 Old Square tie

Leading Chancery set Maitland Chambers is understood to be in merger talks with Michael Driscoll QC’s 9 Old Square.

The talks, which if successful would create the largest Chancery set with 66 tenants, are believed to be at an advanced stage.

It would also thrust Maitland closer to the magic circle of commercial sets. In last year’s Bar Top 30, part of The Lawyer 100, it was ranked seventh by turnover, with a total income of £20.6m. Average revenues per barrister were £479,000.

The largest set by turnover, Brick Court Chambers, generated revenues of £33.5m and an average revenue per barrister of £540,000.

A spokesman for 9 Old Square dismissed the merger talks. “We are, however, having strategy meetings about how to expand the set and take on more barristers,” he said.

Maitland Chambers chief executive Peter Bennett declined to comment.

Maitland was formed in 2001 out of a merger of 13 Old Square and 7 Stone Buildings.