Exchange Chambers now says it aims to expand in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds and has unveiled plans to open a new pupillage academy in 2020. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool’s Exchange Chambers says it aims to expand across the North of England after reporting record revenues of £33.1m.

The figure for the 2018/2019 financial year is 5% higher than last year’s £30.8m turnover and the Derby Square-based barristers’ chambers has set its sights on further expansion in Liverpool, Manchester and Leeds.

Exchange Chambers has established a national reputation and is regularly instructed on major cases. They include a multi-billion pound lawsuit over the worst environmental disaster in Brazil’s history, which is to be heard in Liverpool.

It will also launching a new pupillage academy and will take on six pupils in September 2020 covering crime, commercial and common law.  In recent years, Exchange has recruited three pupils every year.

Chief executive Tom Handley said: “It has been a very positive 12 months with all our departments performing strongly. The multi-disciplinary nature of chambers is driving high quality instructions across the board.”

Bill Braithwaite QC, head of Exchange Chambers, added: “Chambers’ strong financial performance positions us well for future growth. The launch of a pupillage academy – in effect, a national centre of excellence for aspiring barristers – marks our commitment to the next generation of talent.”