Recently launching a new set of chambers gave me the opportunity to start with a clean slate and made it possible (and necessary) for me to think about what chambers should ideally be like in 2005. How big? Inside the Inns or out-side? What sort of library, document-handling facilities and network? What sort of reception, conference and housekeeping facilities?
Inside the Inns is my starting point. And the ideal size is the whole of a staircase or the equivalent self-contained building. That is not based on conservatism or sentiment, rather it is based on the belief that the key characteristic of our profession that justifies and will (if it is carefully preserved) protect our place in the legal system is our complete independence from one another.
