Leading civil rights barristers' chambers to close, saying government policies are devastating the provision of legal services and threatening the rule of law
Tooks Chambers announced yesterday that it is to close in the wake of legal aid cuts. It will wind up operations on October 11th and will formally dissolve on December 27th.
The Independent called Tooks one of Britain's leading civil rights barristers' chambers.
Founded in 1984, it had 55 members and was headed by Michael Mansfield QC.
Its well-regarded immigration team covered all areas from the Tribunal through to the European Court of Human Rights.
As statement made yesterday by Tooks said: "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% 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."
It continued: "Chambers has established a consistently high standard of professional service for nigh on 30 years in the field of human and civil rights. Its caring and vibrant ethos is renowned. The vulnerable, the wrongly accused and the disadvantaged have been at the core of our defence of social justice. Our achievements both collectively and individually in casework, training, seminars and campaigning have been well documented and recognised. This is reflected in our record of results, awards and rankings throughout this year."
However, the Law Gazette reported yesterday that the set is to resurrect, with fifteen members of Tooks to form a new low-cost chambers that could be open within the next fortnight.
According to the Law Gazette, the new set will be called Mansfield Chambers and will be headed by Michael Mansfield QC.
Barrister Mark McDonald explained that a new, low-cost electronic way of working would see a much reduced clerking facility and halve the chambers' overheads.