Devereux Chambers has taken on the former head of Eversheds' in-house advocacy unit, barrister Tom Keith.

Keith joins the commercial litigation practice at Devereux after seven years at Eversheds, which he joined in 2006 as a consultant from Fountain Court. His experience includes insurance, financial services, civil fraud and general international commercial litigation.

Keith's departure marks the formal end of Eversheds' specialist in-house advocacy unit, which the firm has been gradually phasing out since 2009, when it cut back the number of external barristers chambers it uses from 90 to 15 in a bid to build deeper relationships with the Bar. The firm now spends around £16m a year at the Bar.

Despite the shift in focus Keith has still handled a number of matters in-house for Eversheds and last year advised Rolls Royce on a £100m dispute with Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance, Zurich and Aviva.

Eversheds' litigation head Ian Gray said: "We use the bar extensively and choose the best available senior or junior for each case, as well as doing our own advocacy with solicitors and in-house barristers where appropriate. We have a close relationship with Tom and will continue to work with him at Devereux Chambers."

Keith commented: "I am happy to be pursuing my commercial practice in a dynamic and up-and-coming set of chambers that is committed to expanding its commercial team. I am pleased to be returning to the Bar having had the unique and valuable experience of working as a barrister within a firm of solicitors."