Cornerstone Barristers

Cornerstone Barristers is a set of barristers who specialise in social housing law, planning, common and commercial law.

Cornerstone Barristers
Founded1880
FounderSir Charles Hall
HeadquartersGray's Inn, London
Number of employees
50 barristers (12 QCs) and 9 members of staff.
Websitecornerstonebarristers.com

History

Cornerstone Barristers was formed in 1880 by Sir Charles Hall as 2-3 Gray's Inn Square. Sir Graham Eyre QC was the Head of Chambers, before being succeeded by Anthony Scrivener QC in 1992.

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.
  • 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
  • Spence, Malcolm (2005). The Chambers of Marshall Hall:125 Years. UK: Aeneas Press. ISBN 1-902115-48-1.
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References
  1. Matheu, Swallow (January 11, 1999). "Top duo leaves 2 Gray's Inn Square". The Lawyer. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  2. Harris, Joanne (July 17, 2006). "2-3 Gray's Inn Square appoints new head". The Lawyer. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  3. Harris, Joanne (May 8, 2006). "Revenue up at 2-3 Gray's Inn Square as set enjoys 'solid year'". The Lawyer. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  4. "2-3 Gray's Inn Square becomes Cornerstone Barristers" (Press release). Cornerstone Barristers. December 16, 2011. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  5. "Social Housing: London". Chambers & Partners. Archived from the original on August 16, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  6. Thornton, Ed (June 9, 2005). "Property & Planning: The master builders". Legal Week.
  7. "Leaders of the major league...". The Lawyer. November 18, 1997.
  8. Fitzmaurice, Guy (September 6, 1994). "Counsel for the councils". The Lawyer. pp. Vol.8, No.34, Pg.15.
  9. http://www.shla.org.uk/founding_supporters.html
  10. Which?
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