St Philips Chambers, the second largest set in the country with 95 tenants, is in talks to takeover Birmingham crime set 1 Fountain Court in a move which could take tenant numbers to 133, including ten silks.

The set, headed by leading commercial silk John Randall QC, is currently consulting its members on the move. Should the merger go ahead, St Philips will take over from fellow Birmingham set 5 Fountain Court as the country’s largest chambers.