Three Fountain Court dissolves

While many chambers celebrated upturns in revenue and new silks for the first time in three years, collapsed Birmingham common law set Three Fountain Court had an altogether more turbulent month.

As reported by The Lawyer (17 July), the dissolving set is facing an unfair dismissal claim from its former senior clerk Jonathan Maskew.

Maskew has instructed Russell Jones & Walker to act on his behalf on a potential constructive unfair dismissal claim, but proceedings have not yet been issued.

Three Fountain Court dismissed Maskew, with the reason understood to be that he was allegedly favouring certain members of chambers.

The 50-member set voted on 7 July to dissolve and is due to close its doors by the end of the month.

Regional rivals, such as No5 Chambers and St Philips, have already pounced on its members.

Three Fountain Court's break-up is reminiscent of that of 199 Strand, which cited the pressures of competition, consolidation and less litigation as causes at the end of last year. Three Fountain Court blamed its demise on rent increases and stalling fee revenue.