Manchester and Leeds set Kings Chambers is kicking off a dedicated mediation group with the hire of a partner from Pannone.
Paul Johnson has requalified as a barrister and joins Kings to develop his own mediation practice as well as that of the chambers.
At Pannone Johnson was a commercial litigation partner as well as a certified mediator. He said his move to the bar would enable him to better focus on mediation.
Kings senior clerk Colin Griffin said: “We’re looking now to really start developing quite a specialist panel of people in mediation.”
Kings currently has three full members – Lesley Anderson QC, Andrew Singer and Wilson Horne – as well as associate tenant John Tackaberry QC, whose practices include a large amount of mediation.
Johnson’s arrival is part of further growth for that group.