First Law

Hackney Council names barrister panel line-up

The Lawyer - Tuesday 26th September 2006

The London borough of Hackney has assembled a panel of barristers, becoming the first local authority in the UK to do so.

Twelve sets of chambers have been appointed to the new panel, which has sub-groups covering planning, property, procurement, employment, education, corporate governance, social services and litigation.

The chosen chambers are 4 Brick Court, Bridewell Chambers, Lamb Building, Hardwicke Building, Henderson Chambers, 13 King's Bench Walk, 1 Middle Temple Lane Chambers, Outer Temple Chambers, Renaissance Chambers, Tanfield Chambers, Three Raymond Buildings and Tooks Chambers.

More than 700 barristers competed for the work. They were required to demonstrate suitability for particular kinds of work and to sign a service agreement dictating service delivery, billing, dispute resolution and termination.

Chambers were ranked according to benchmark prices set by panel review specialist First Law, which organised the nine-month exercise. Prices ranged from £100 to £150 for attending conferences to £300-£450 for full-day hearings.

By Jon Parker