End of Tooks Chambers a 'direct result' of legal aid cuts

Tooks Chambers, led by Michael Mansfield QC, has announced that "with great regret" it has decided to dissolve.

A statement on the website, which specialised in civil liberties and human rights work, said the move was a "direct result" of the legal aid cuts. Mansfield was one of the leading campaigners against the LASPO Act.

The statement said the chambers had a "proud record of defending the rights of the under privileged and the oppressed", including the Birmingham Six and the family of Stephen Lawrence.

"The dissolution of chambers is the direct result of government policies on legal aid. The public service we provide is dependent on public funding. 90 per cent of our work is publicly funded.

"The government policies led by justice secretary Chris Grayling are cumulatively devastating the provision of legal services and threatening the rule of law."

Tooks Chambers said it had established a high standard of professional service for 30 years in the field of human and civil rights.

"The vulnerable, the wrongly accused and the disadvantaged have been at the core of our defence of social justice.

"Our achievements both collectively and individually in casework, training, seminars and campaigning have been well documented and recognised. This is reflected in our record of results, awards and rankings throughout this year."

The statement said the chambers would continue to accept briefs until it wound up its operations on 11 October 2013.

"Individual barristers will continue to practise and to represent their clients. They will be making arrangements for the continuation of their practices so that the interests of their clients will not be affected.

"Tooks Chambers will not be formally dissolved until Friday 27 December 2013 so that we can ensure that all past work is billed and fees are collected."