Top QC quits 4 Paper Buildings

One of the top professional negligence and IT silks is defecting to a rival set.

Nicholas Davidson QC, a tenant at 4 Paper Buildings, will join 2 Crown Office Row when the set moves to Four New Square.

Both sets are leaders for professional negligence work.

But the addition of Davidson will mean John Powell QC's set, to be re-named Four New Square, will have the edge over its rivals, with six leading silks in the field.

Commentators believe 4 Paper Buildings has enough depth in its practice, with Michael Pooles QC and a number of leading juniors, to recover.

Davidson is the chairman of the Professional Negligence Bar Association and is best known for leading the defence of multiple actions against solicitors brought by the Bristol & West and Nationwide building societies.

"This is a tremendous and exciting challenge and I am glad of it. While I have been extremely lucky in my colleagues and staff in my present chambers, each set of chambers is distinctive and I welcome the opportunity to join all at Four New Square at a key stage," says Davidson.