Delighted to be part of the award-winning team at Parklane Plowden Chambers

The recent success of the Management Team at Parklane Plowden Chambers at the Northern Law awards, heralds in a new era for barristers’ Chambers. Not only does the award recognise the significance of the innovative restructure that has taken place,

Barristers’ Chambers are invariably regarded by those in the profession as an antiquated legal structure that hinders their ability to respond quickly to changes in the market. However, Parklane Plowden has thrown off this cloak to emerge as a Next Generation Chambers, equipped to deal with the most turbulent of legal environments. 

Chambers won the award for ‘Law Practice Management Team of the Year’ following the radical and unique restructure which took place in February 2015, and the success that has followed. The innovative restructure saw the creation of 2 Management Boards: the Executive Management Board which oversees and drives delivery on all aspects of the growth strategy; and a separate Service Company (Plowden Facilities Ltd) that manages the internal systems associated with running a chambers.

Head of Chambers, Andrew Axon, who sits on both Management Boards said, “We needed to solve the age-old problem of balancing the needs of 80 self-employed barristers against the commercial realities of working in the legal market. We wanted to future-proof our position as the leading Civil set in the North East and be able to deal with the often brutal financial changes imposed on this sector. Our restructure does this, and it’s fantastic that the judges of the Northern Law Awards have recognised us in this way.”

The success and impact of the restructure is evidenced by an increase in client contracts (both regionally and nationally); fee income and new Tenants/Associate Tenants over the past 12 months.

Particular growth areas for Chambers include a new Public and Administrative Law team. Members of the team focus on advising and representing clients in matters involving Court of Protection & Mental Health; Inquests; Judicial Reviews; Health & Social Care; Special Educational Needs & Disability Tribunals. This new team has led to the appointment of a highly regarded Door Tenant, Alison Grief QC. There has also been a considerable expansion of the Family Teams’ presence in Newcastle and Northumbria, leading to the first Family Law pupil exclusively for Newcastle Chambers. For the personal injury and clinical negligence team, there have been appointment to several national insurance panels, such as Hiscox, Axa and DAS.

“This root and branch change has enabled barristers and clerks to work with increased efficiency by freeing them of the administrative tasks that do not enhance the solicitor-client experience.” said Michael Stubbs, the Newcastle-based Practice Director and Executive Board Member. “The old structure made us commercially clumsy, but now it’s easier for us to secure new avenues of work, including ABS arrangements and block contracting. It’s a very exciting time for us, and to be able to fly the flag for the North on a national level is tremendous.”