Outer Temple Chambers has become one of the first sets [U.K. law firm consisting of barristers] to launch an annex in the United Arab Emirates, it was announced last week.
The annex will be located in Abu Dhabi and will become the commercial set’s first overseas presence when it is officially opened next weekend by business development director Derek Jenkins.The new annex will provide a base for the chambers’ existing Middle Eastern clients and international companies involved in international and commercial arbitrations. The annex will also provide a base for meetings, seminars and conferences held in the region.Outer Temple tenant Richard Lissack QC, said: “This will give us a unique place in the market. We’ll be the only chambers with a physical presence in the Middle East and our connections there will be a huge advantage to us.”He added: “It couldn’t have come at a better time and it fits precisely with the goals we identified in our original five year plan and which we have made central to our marketing and business strategy over the past year. It complements our established association with the British Virgin Islands and New York.”The senior clerk of one rival set commented: “This is a very interesting and progressive move, which will see many in the profession keeping a close eye on it to see how it goes.”Outer Temple recently hired Christine Kings into the newly created role of commercial director in a bid to modernise the chambers’ business practices.Kings was appointed as the Bar’s first-ever practice manager in 1990 when she helped set up Doughty Street Chambers, where she remained for 17 years.
