header-logo header-logo

13 July 2017 / Chris Ronan
Issue: 7754 / Categories: Features , Profession
printer mail-detail

Driving change at the Bar

nlj_7754_ronan

Chris Ronan, chief executive at St John’s Buildings, shares some tips for setting a strategy for success

  • When grouped together as part of chambers, barristers must work together to achieve a set of mutually-agreed objectives.
  • A clear strategy and effective implementation is critical for the growth of a modern chambers.

The barristers’ profession is undergoing great change. Successive governments have introduced new laws and regulations, such as the Public Access Scheme and the 2007 Legal Services Act, which have fundamentally changed the way in which barristers as individuals and chambers as business centres operate. Although both of these examples came into effect several years ago, the opportunities are only now being realised.

A theme during recent years has been the continued expansion, both in terms of size and scope, of barristers’ chambers. Barristers are traditionally thought of as self-employed, and independent of thought and deed. This has proven to be a great strength in providing objective ‘arms-length’ strategic advice, and identifying and delivering winning arguments.

But when grouped together as part of chambers, barristers must work together to achieve

If you are not a subscriber, subscribe now to read this content
If you are already a subscriber sign in
...or Register for two weeks' free access to subscriber content

MOVERS & SHAKERS

Gateley Legal—Jack Kelly

Gateley Legal—Jack Kelly

Gateley Legal expands Midlands residential development team

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn—Richard Surtees

Gibson Dunn adds employee benefits and executive compensation practice in London with partner Richard Surtees

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL—Alec Cameron

Laytons ETL appoints new partner and head of intellectual property disputes

NEWS
A series of recent decisions has clarified important principles across property law, from perpetuities to lease renewals and public rights over land
Employers cannot rely on wellbeing services alone to defend workplace stress claims after a High Court decision awarding almost £1m to an overworked employee
Andy Burnham's brand of 'Manchesterism' could offer fresh thinking on legal aid and access to justice if it reaches Westminster, according to Roger Smith, NLJ columnist and former director of JUSTICE
The constitutional fallout from a change of prime minister, rather than the politics, is under scrutiny as questions arise over the limits of executive authority in a leadership transition
The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift from selling services to creating technology-enabled products, according to Professor Luke Mason, Head of School of Law at Regent's University London
back-to-top-scroll