Mansfield to set up new chambers as Tooks collapses

Michael Mansfield QC is to set up a new, much smaller set of chambers following yesterday's announcement that Tooks Chambers, which he heads, is to dissolve by the end of the year.

Barrister Mark McDonald said Mansfield Chambers would operate from serviced offices in Chancery Lane, with one clerk rather than ten.

It is understood that a total of 15 barristers from Tooks Chambers are to join the new set, including at least one QC, which would could be open as early as the end of this week.

Tooks Chambers, which specialises in civil liberties and human rights work, is due to wind up its operations on October 11.

A statement on its website said dissolution 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.

"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."

The fate of the remaining 35 members of Tooks Chambers is unclear.