Cornerstone Barristers
| Founded | 1880 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Sir Charles Hall |
| Headquarters | Gray's Inn, London |
| Website | cornerstonebarristers.com |
Cornerstone Barristers is a set of barristers who specialise in social housing law, planning, common and commercial law.
Contents
History
Cornerstone Barristers was formed in 1880 by Sir Charles Hall as 2-3 Gray's Inn Square.[citation needed] Sir Graham Eyre QC was the Head of Chambers, before being succeeded by Anthony Scrivener QC in 1992.[citation needed]
In 1999, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided to cull its panel of prosecuting chambers, resulting in more than 30 barristers moving out of 11 sets. 2-3 Gray's Inn Square lost practice manager Paul Simpson and senior clerk Bill Harris. Gray's Inn Square said they had been asked to be taken off the list prior to the cutbacks.[1]
In the early 2000s, Gray's Inn Square grew steadily. From 2001 - 2006 Anthony Porten QC led the firm as its head of chambers. During this time the organization grew its expertise in housing and licensing.[2] Revenues grew from £9.7m to £10.6m from 2004 - 2006 alone. The following year the chambers lost three members, but revenue per barrister and overall revenue continued to grow.[3] In 2006, planning specialist Mark Lowe QC was elected as its new head of chambers in a move to help the firm modernize and grow. Lowe's goals were to streamline the civil set and attract more members.[2]
In December, 2011 2-3 Gray's Inn Square was renamed to Cornerstone Barristers.[4]
Notable cases
In 2005, the co-head of chambers Anthony Scivener QC appeared before the house of lords on behalf of air passengers claiming airlines had caused deep vein thrombosis.[3]
Reputation
Cornerstone Barristers is highly regarded, in particular in the social housing sector and for the strength of its juniors.[5] Legal Week recognized many of Cornerstone's juniors among a list of rising stars in 2005.[6] Many of Corerstone's lawyer's are among the top-rated silks as well.[7] It was first recognized by the Lawyer's Bar Top 30 in 2004, when it had only £9.7m in revenue. The chambers enjoys a strong reputation in common and commercial law,[3] as well as the social housing sector. members of chambers are best known for their work with local authorities, though they represent both providers and consumers.[5]
Notable members
- Planner, Sir Graham Eyre QC, was knighted for taking on the job of Inspector for the London Airports Inquiry from 1981 to 1984.
- Anthony Hidden QC and David Penry-Davey QC were made High Court Judges 1989 and 1994 respectively.
- Anthony Scrivener QC, head of chambers[7]
- Anthony Porten QC[7]
- Tim Straker[8]
- Anthony Scrivener QC served at the bar for 36 years.
- Malcolm Spence QC left chambers at Christmas 2011, having served 53 years.
- Sir Charles Hall was first Head of Chambers. He was Attorney-General to King Edward VII, then Prince of Wales.
Legal Associations
- Many barristers are founding members of the Social Housing Law Association.[9]
- Jenny Oscroft is a council member of a consumer rights organization called Which?[10]
Further reading
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References
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- ↑ http://www.shla.org.uk/founding_supporters.html
- ↑ Which?
