London lawyers have created a new pro-Brexit group that aims to attract more than 300 members.

The brainchild of Martin Howe QC at barristers' set 8 New Square, the group was set up earlier this month. So far its membership includes Wedlake Bell IP partner Clive Thorne, Slaughter and May support lawyer Eric Phillips and CMS senior associate Victoria Hewson.

As the UK's EU referendum campaign gathers pace, with lawyers battling it out on both sides of the debate, Howe's group hopes to eclipse the membership numbers of rival groups.

"We are gathering members and we expect to grow beyond 300," said Thorne. "There's a great deal of enthusiasm among lawyers about leaving the EU, particularly those who studied constitutional law."

Still in its infancy, the group has already attracted "dozens" of members, according to its website. These include other City partners, said Thorne.

The creation of the group, dubbed 'Lawyers for Britain', lags the emergence of 'Lawyers against Brexit'. The latter group, set up to campaign for Britain to remain in the European Union, was set up last year and its membership has swelled to 300 since then.

Commenting on the recent launch of 'Lawyers for Britain', Thorne said: "There have been other groups of a similar nature but this one is specifically gathered together with the objective of influencing lawyers' opinion during the course of the referendum campaign."

He added: "The whole timing of the referendum is dependent on government action and the starting pistol was only fired this week."

According to the group's website, there needs to be "a fundamental change in Britain's relationship with the EU", with the organisation calling for "a new and constructive relationship which preserves our trading links but restores our ability to be governed by our own laws".

David Cameron kicked off the official Conservative battle to stay in the EU this week, declaring that the EU referendum campaign will be a "battle for Britain".

Cameron has proposed 23 June as the date for the historic referendum.