Set-jumping trend gains impetus as 11 move chambers

The New Year has witnessed an unusual amount of movement at the Bar, especially at senior level.

The most recent shift has seen five silks and six juniors changing addresses in the last two weeks.

Geraldine Clark, who has accepted a tenancy at 4-5 Gray's Inn Square, says she has left because of clerking and management issues at her former set, 20 Essex Street.

She says: "I felt unable to support chambers' collective toleration of discrepancies in the clerking support."

Timothy Straker QC is moving to 4-5 Gray's Inn Square. He says this is only a foretaste of what is to come but is not a sign that the Bar is in turmoil.

David Bean QC from Devereux Chambers has also joined this set while Simon Browne-Wilkinson QC is moving from Fountain Court to Serle Court Chambers.

36 Bedford Row is the other set to benefit from the growing trend, acquiring four new members including Nicholas Browne QC and Elizabeth Annabel Walker QC.