Express Chambers welcomes new chief clerk

Express Chambers is celebrating a significant milestone with the appointment of Neil McHugh as Chief Clerk. This comes on the heels of the recent launch of Express Chambers, the advocacy arm of Express Solicitors, which is poised for growth. McHugh, who has over 30 years of clerking experience, joins from 7 Harrington Street Chambers in Liverpool and will play a crucial role in helping develop this newly established department.

In his new position, McHugh will be responsible for hiring barristers at every grade and expanding the support staff to accommodate the increasing demand for services arising from Express Solicitors' rapid growth. The firm has recently completed acquisitions of Sorry Mate / Smooth Law and Aegis Legal, and it has plans for further acquisitions that will bring in additional advocacy work.

Express Chambers presents a unique opportunity for barristers by being an integrated chambers model that includes employed barristers, pupils, advocates, and clerks. This model allows barristers to be part of the employed Bar, creating a supportive and collaborative work environment. Nyssa Crorie, the Head of Express Chambers, will work closely with McHugh to ensure the team remains efficient and effective.

McHugh expressed enthusiasm for his new role, stating, “It’s an incredibly exciting time to be joining Express Chambers. As Express Solicitors continues its growth, I can’t wait to help Express Chambers grow and ensure the team can continue to provide a great service to both the solicitors and our clients.” He also highlighted his eagerness to develop talent within the team, noting, “I’m particularly looking forward to developing and growing all the talent in the team and being part of the employed Bar.”

In a nod to its commitment to nurturing new talent, Express Solicitors announced plans to recruit aspiring barristers for the first time in 2023. The firm is now an authorised training organisation by the Bar Standards Board, offering four pupillage positions. This initiative ensures that pupils in Express Chambers can participate in court hearings during their first six months of training—an advantage not typically available in other settings.

McHugh’s arrival follows other recent enhancements to the team, including the onboarding of John Sharples as a new Partner - Barrister, alongside clerks Helen Benyon and Laura Gibbons. These changes are aimed at strengthening the support provided to the barristers within Express Chambers.

For more details on Express Chambers and their initiatives, interested parties can visit http://www.expresssolicitors.co.uk/express-chambers or follow them on LinkedIn.