Eleven civil practitioners are leaving the common law chambers of Sir Ivan Lawrence QC at One Essex Court to join the chambers of Richard King at 5 Paper Buildings, creating a 33-strong set .

Discussions about the future of One Essex Court are currently taking place but no one was available for comment.

Head of 5 Paper Buildings Richard King says: “We heard that criminal practitioners at One Essex Court had left to join 2 Paper Buildings [Desmond de Silva QC] and once we became aware of this movement, it became clear that there may be a possible fit.”

The move has prompted the acquisition of further space to accommodate the new tenants, who include Paul Norris and property practitioner Norman Joss as well as Julian Benson, Roger Bull, Mark Lyne, Peter John, Nicholas Grundy, Simon Mills, Rachel Sleeman, Joanna Brownhill and Adam Rooney.

King is positive about the future. He says: “Breadth of civil work will become our key strength in various fields.”