Cornwall Street Barristers and Maidstone Chambers have today (1st October) joined forces to form a 17-member group under the banner of Cornwall Street South offering a mix of Family, Crime and Civil expertise on the South Eastern Circuit.

The move creates a strong team supported by Cornwall Street Barristers’ Birmingham office offering advice, representation and support to solicitors and their clients not only on the Midland Circuit but now also on the South Eastern Circuit. Those members based in Oxford and Maidstone will form ‘Cornwall Street South’ and will focus on service provision in those and surrounding areas.

Acting Head of Maidstone Chambers, Trevor Wright says: “This is a really positive move for Maidstone’s members and staff as it allows us to benefit from the greater resources and support available to us from the wider Cornwall Street team. Our members will now be able to access an improved infrastructure which will in turn enable us to further strengthen our presence on the South Eastern Circuit and deliver greater exposure to more and different types of work both in the Midlands and in the Central Courts.”

Cornwall Street Chief Executive James Farmer says: “We’re delighted that the talented members of Maidstone have chosen to join forces with us here at Cornwall Street. 

Our performance over the financial year 2020/2021 was nothing short of exceptional given the challenges that have faced the UK – and the Bar – over the last 18 months. It’s been truly amazing to have been in a position to support members through these challenging times with both financial and non-financial measures in place to alleviate the pressures created by the unprecedented circumstances created by Covid-19. Prudent financial management has meant that we are able to offer a range of benefits to members and a competitive rent structure that can be of benefit to all members including our colleagues at Maidstone Chambers.

This is a very exciting time for chambers and we intend to steadily grow our income and recruit additional barristers over the next five years to further consolidate our position; especially on the Midlands and South Eastern Circuits.”

Andrew Tucker, Head of Cornwall Street Barristers, added: “I am delighted that we have been able to join forces with our colleagues in Maidstone, a move that further strengthens our set and which I am confident will be the benefit of all of us. We extend the traditional Cornwall Street warm welcome to our new colleagues”