Two of the oldest barristers’ chambers in Liverpool announce a merger that will create a legal team that is more than 100-strong. Tony McDonough reports
Two Liverpool barristers’ chambers – Atlantic Chambers and Oriel Chambers – have announced they are to merge.
Both well established chambers in the city, Atlantic and Oriel will now unite to become Hundred Court Chambers. It will operate from ground floor offices at Exchange Station in, opposite Liverpool’s Civil and Family Court.
Previously, Atlantic Chambers was based in Cook Street while Oriel Chambers operated from Water Street.
This merger will bring together 79 members, 20 employees and two pupils under one roof, with four new pupils set to join later in 2025. As part of the merger, the clerking teams from both chambers will be brought together into a single unit.
The name Hundred Court Chambers gets its inspiration from the medieval ‘hundred court’, once held in Allerton, Liverpool. Before courthouses existed, these courts are believed to have convened in open-air settings.
Atlantic Chambers was originally established in 1939 as Melville Kennan’s Chambers. It became Castle Street Chambers before rebranding to Atlantic Chambers in 2003.
It has long been recognised as a leading multidisciplinary barristers’ set, with national expertise in chancery, commercial, civil litigation, clinical negligence, crime, family, employment and inquests.
Atlantic has a number of barristers who are recognised in The Legal 500 UK Bar rankings as leaders in their fields.
The set has a distinguished history with past members including Sir Brian Leveson, former President of the Queen’s Bench Division, Lord Justice Edis and the newly appointed Vice-President of the Court of Appeal Criminal Division.
Until recently, Senior Presiding Judge, and Mrs Justice Knowles, was one of the current Presiding Judges of the Northern Circuit. Its current judges also include HHJ Natalie Cuddy, HHJ Horne, DJ Neil Downey and DJ Philip Emery.
Oriel Chambers was established in 1965 and has built a strong reputation as a leading barristers’ set on the Northern Circuit, acting for clients including the Crown Office, local authorities, global insurers and national law firms.
Its members are frequently recognised in The Legal 500 for their excellence across multiple areas of civil and family law.
Past members of Oriel include HHJ Stannard, former Official Referee (Technology and Construction Court Judge) of Liverpool; HHJ Trigger (Civil Judge); HHJ Norman Wright (Criminal Judge); HHJ Brandon (Family Judge); DJ John Baldwin (Regional Costs Judge); DJ Lindsay Clarke; and DJ Shirley Hennessy.
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Charles Prior, joint head of chambers at Hundred Court Chambers, said: “From our first discussions it was clear that we shared a strong alignment in values, culture and ambition.
“In a relatively short period of time, we felt that there was a huge opportunity to come together. Each set has worked tirelessly to build formidable reputations not only in the North West but throughout the UK.”
Its other joint head of chambers, Paul Brant, added: “The new name reflects our heritage and vision. With deep local roots and a foundation of strength and integrity, Hundred Court Chambers is well positioned for an exciting future.