Whole set applies to join Plowden Buildings

In an extraordinary move, all 27 tenants at 3 Paper Buildings, Samuel Parrish's chambers, have applied to join Plowden Buildings. A decision will be taken this Saturday.

The expanded set will be one of the largest sets in Temple with between 55 and 60 barristers.

Paul Hurst, senior clerk at Plowden Buildings, said: 'If a whole set applies to join it may look like a merger but it's not.

'The new set will be called Plowden Buildings. Any group application will be considered.'

Both Samuel Parrish and the clerks at 3 Paper Buildings denied there were any discussions under way.

Other sources confirmed Hurst's statement. One said: 'It is technically correct to say this is not a merger, more of an amalgamation.'

The new set would specialise in commercial, crime, personal injury, immigration and family law.

Ric Martin, chief executive of Fountain Court, said: 'This doesn't surprise me. The economies of scale in a larger set bring security. I expect to see more mergers of this kind in the future.'