A 14-strong team of family law barristers have left Chavasse Court Chambers in Liverpool and joined rival Exchange Chambers. Tony McDonough reports

A 14-strong team of family law barristers have have switched chambers in Liverpool.

Headed by Julie Forsyth, the team has left Chavasse Court Chambers and joined rival Exchange Chambers. They are joined at Exchange’s city centre office by their three clerks from Chavasse, headed by Mark Shannon.

They specialise in all aspects of public and private children law cases acting for parents, children, extended family members, guardians, local authorities and government bodies, at all levels of the family court from Magistrates to High Court and the Court of Appeal.

The 14 barristers are Julie Forsyth, Celestine Greenwood, Tammi Bannon, Simon Povoas,

Jacqueline Deans, Elizabeth Brennan, Kathryn Hughes, Nadia Koucheksarai, Kirsty Robinson, Deborah Gosling, Jennifer Hunt, Kathryn Dale, Chuba Nwokedi and Robert Povall.

Ms Forsyth said: “We are thrilled to join Exchange Chambers. At an uncertain time for the Bar, Exchange is a strong, forward-thinking, well-managed set with an outstanding reputation. We very much want to be part of that success story.

“The move will provide every member of our team with top quality practice development support, and enable us to deliver the very highest levels of client care and service to our clients.”

With the arrival of its new family law team, Exchange Chambers now has 192 members including 17 silks. The 2020/2021 Legal 500 describes Exchange as the “leading set in the North” with “tremendous strength in depth”, “standout counsel” and “real talent”.

Jonathan I’Anson, chief executive at Exchange Chambers, said: “The arrival of Julie and her team is great news for chambers. The team is market leading with a fantastic reputation and great work.

As a specialist group focusing on children’s law, they will enhance our existing family department, headed by Judith Fordham. Despite the obvious COVID-related challenges at present, we remain committed to strengthening our position as the pre-eminent Chambers in the North, while continuing to champion equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar.”