National firm to tighten chambers links with barrister secondments

Eversheds has finalised its panel of barristers' chambers, with Brick Court Chambers among 15 sets winning a spot on the roster, which has been whittled down from 90 sets.

In an unusual move the top 10 firm has also launched a secondment programme, which sees barristers from the selected chambers joining the firm for up to six months.

The panel review, which was led by head of litigation Ian Gray and ran from March to July 2009, was prompted by Eversheds' desire to tighten relationships with a smaller number of sets. Those chambers making the panel include Fountain Court, Essex Court, One Essex Court, 4 Pump Court, 4 New Square and Henderson Chambers as well as Brick Court.

As part of the plans to forge closer ties the secondment programme sees junior barristers joining Eversheds for a period of three to six months on full pay from the UK top 10 law firm. During their time with the firm they will work on a range of cases, which they take back to chambers at the end of their secondment.

4 New Square's George Spalton and 4 Pump Court's Richard Osborne have already been seconded to the firm, with Henderson Chambers due to supply the next barrister.

Gray commented: "All secondees will work on a wide range of our cases to let us get to know them really well so our lawyers can grow with them as they become more senior. These three sets are demonstrating what we are trying to achieve – broadly based relationships where we really know each other and can work well as a team for our clients."

A senior litigator at a major law firm said: "This is a very interesting move and I have not heard of firms doing this. It would be very good for the barristers as it would give them much more understanding of the firm."

Despite establishing the panel Eversheds does have some flexibility to use other chambers for niche areas of expertise, particularly for instructing Queen's Counsel.

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