Ranked in Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500, a leading chambers based in London will be closing its doors at the end October due to the impact of the pandemic on the justice system.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the awaiting sale of its 33 St John Street office building, Charter Chambers (Charter) has had no choice but announce their forthcoming closure come Autumn.
Charter has specialised in crime, fraud and professional discipline work for a number of decades with nearly 60 staff, consisting of 38 barristers who are recognised as leaders in their field.
Although Charter will formally close at the end of October, its Clerks and all members will continue to practice and from November onwards their members will continue their own practices. Over the next few weeks they will communicate their plans for the future to friends, solicitors and clients.
Neil Hawes QC, head of chambers said due to the fact that the courts and tribunals were not going to return to normal for a very long time.
He said:
“It was this assessment – along with a review of chambers’ own needs for its future – that led Charter to the unanimous conclusion that to continue as we were would inevitably lead us to depleting our financial reserves and result in the set entering into significant borrowing, for the first time in some years, and potentially for a lengthy period and with a very uncertain future.”
