Temple and Lincoln's Inn sets to merge

From February 2000, Lord Neill of Bladen QC - currently joint head of Temple-based chambers One Hare Court - will lead the new 44-strong set. The new chambers - which will be called Serle Court - will be based at 6 New Square, Lincoln's Inn.

Lord Neill says: "This is a unique move. Never before has there been a merger of a leading set from Lincoln's Inn with a leading Temple set. "The artificial barriers between commercial practice in the Chancery Division on the one hand and in the Commercial Court on the other, are increasingly outmoded. Serle Court will bridge this divide."

He adds that the new set will offer a "formidable range of expertise" in business disputes and commercial law