History
Originally established in 1966 by Peter Stanley-Price QC at 30 Park Square with Francis Laking as Senior Clerk, as an annexe to 5 King’s Bench Walk.
Chambers became fully independent on Circuit in 1976. Chambers moved to more substantial premises at 1 & 2 Park Square in 1972, to Park Cross Street in 1986 and ultimately relocating to 16 Park Place in 1999.
Former members include:
Mr Justice Ognall
Mr Justice Potts
Mr Justice Mortimer (of the Supreme Court of Hong Kong)
Mrs Justice Black
Previous Heads of Chambers:
Peter Stanley Price QC – until 1968. Appointed Judge at Central Criminal Court
Douglas Forester Paton QC – until 1971. Appointed County Court and then Circuit Judge
Derek Clarkson QC – until 1977. Appointed Circuit Judge
Barry Mortimer QC – until 1985. Appointed HCJ – Hong Kong
Gilbert Gray QC and Humphrey Potts QC – appointed HCJ 1986
Gilbert Gray QC
Brian Walsh QC. Appointed Recorder of Leeds 1996
James Stewart QC and Robert Smith QC
Robert Smith QC - present
In addition a further 12 members of chambers have been elevated to the Circuit Bench.
Clerking:
1966-1976 Francis Laking (on circuit)
1976-2001 Roy Kemp – retired
2001-2006 Terry Creathorn – now Senior Clerk at Byrom Street, Manchester
2006 - Jo Pickersgill
Chambers’ administration was run by the then Senior Clerk, Mr Roy Kemp who retired in July 2001 when Karen Wade was appointed Chambers Administrator.
