Old meets New in No. 11 chambers merger

Lincoln's Inn chambers Eleven New Square and 11 Old Square have agreed a rare bar merger, forming a 46-strong commercial and chancery set.

The two sets have been in talks since the autumn and finally came to an agreement last week to merge on 1 June in a move that will add a major player to the commercial and chancery world.

Chancery specialist Eleven New Square brings on board 26 barristers, including silks Peter Crampin QC and Sonia Proudman QC. 11 Old Square will supply 17 juniors and three QCs, including Keith Rowley QC, who last year appeared for the claimants in the Railtrack shareholders litigation.

Eleven New Square's chief executive Chris Owen is to retain his role in the merged set, supported by six clerks and three administrative staff.

Owen said: "This seems to be the perfect merger. The marketplace over the years has changed and we have to react to those changes. Both sets feel that together we can offer a better service to our instructing solicitor clients."

The new chambers does not yet have a name and will initially continue to operate from split sites.

Owen said he was confident that the new set would attract new members.