St Johns Buildings is set to take 25 members of rival set Peel Court Chambers – including Leader of the Northern Circuit Richard Marks QC, following Peel Court's dissolution earlier this month.

The 25 members, which includes Marks and four other QCs, are due to join Manchester-based St Johns on 1 December, increasing the chambers' number of criminal practitioners to 74.

St Johns, which operates in Manchester, Chester and Preston, and was established in 2002 following the merger of three Manchester sets, has grown to become one of the largest chambers in the UK.

The set specialises in family, crime, personal injury, clinical negligence, commercial and chancery, employment and mental health.

Chris Ronan, chief clerk at St Johns, commented: "Peel Court had a reputation in crime that is second to none, particularly on the Northern Circuit, and it is one that we have admired for some time. A number of chambers on circuit were interested in members of Peel Court joining them and we are pleased to have secured an agreement in principle with a number of locally and nationally regarded practitioners."

St Johns head Michael Redfern QC added: "At a time of uncertainty for the criminal Bar, St Johns has set sail on a course that matches the vision of Lord Carter and the policy drive of the Legal Services Commission. We are confident that our vision is an attractive one."

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