Exchange’s Business and Property Department: plans for future success
January 7, 2022
Exchange Chambers’ Business and Property department is targeting further growth and expansion after reaching a number of key milestones over the last 12 months.
Formerly known as Exchange’s Commercial department, the team enjoyed a number of highlights during 2021, with members acting in a range of high value, national and international cases as leaders and juniors.
“While acting in national and international cases, our presence in Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester is a unique feature of Chambers and closely aligns us to the Business and Property Courts across the Northern and North Eastern Circuits,” said department head, Giles Maynard-Connor QC.
“The regional Bar is stronger than it’s ever been. The very best barristers are now looking beyond London. With the continued development of the Business and Property Courts no case is too big for the regions.”
Recognised as a centre of excellence, the department covers all areas of Business and Property related law including Banking & Finance, Commercial Fraud, Commercial Contracts Litigation, Company (including Shareholder Disputes) & Partnership, Competition, Procurement & State Aid, Construction, Corporate & Commercial Transaction Support, Costs Litigation, Credit Hire, Group Litigation, Insurance & Reinsurance, Professional Negligence, Property & Planning, Restructuring & Insolvency, Tax, Trusts and Wills & Probate.
Over the last 12 months, the continued progress of the department has been recognised through a number of rankings, awards and appointments.
Exchange secured a record number of commercial rankings in The Legal 500 and Chambers UK, while the Set’s commercial expertise was a driving factor in it being named as Regional Set of the Year at the Chambers UK Bar Awards.
The number of Queen’s Counsel in the department continues to rise. Giles Maynard-Connor QC was appointed last year while Lisa Linklater will be appointed as Queen’s Counsel on 21 March 2022 following the announcement of her forthcoming appointment by the Lord Chancellor in December 2021.
Former members of Exchange have also been recently appointed to prominent judicial positions within the Business and Property Courts. His Honour Judge (Mark) Cawson QC is a Specialist Civil Circuit Judge at the Business and Property Courts in Manchester while His Honour Judge (Neil) Cadwallader became the first resident Chancery Judge at the Business and Property Courts in Liverpool following his appointment as a Specialist Civil Circuit Judge.
Expanding on the plan to further develop its Business and Property department, Giles added:
“We are actively seeking to grow our Business and Property department by recruiting outstanding barristers across all commercial disciplines and locations.
“At the same time, we are focused on supporting our members, at all levels of call, in achieving their professional goals.
Giles concluded:
“Recent appointments demonstrate what can be achieved at Exchange for all.”
Tom Longstaff, who became a full member of Exchange Chambers in 2018, echoed Giles’ comments saying that the practice development support at Exchange is “second-to-none”.
“I have received a number of high-quality instructions since joining Exchange, driven by the clerks who understand the market and are constantly creating new opportunities,” said Tom.
“At a set such as Exchange, it is possible to go as far as your own ability and hard work will take you, without any real barriers.”
Having successfully completed her commercial pupillage with Exchange, Jodie Wildridge became a full member of Chambers in 2020. Commenting on the support network Exchange provides throughout the pupillage process and beyond, Jodie said:
“I never expected such a phenomenal level of support and encouragement from other members at all levels of seniority, as well as the clerks and Chambers’ staff.”
According to Jodie, such an environment has been a key factor in the development of her practice.
“Not only has the volume of high-quality work opportunities available at Exchange allowed my practice to thrive; but the active encouragement of the department continues to make such progression maintainable and importantly, enjoyable,” she added.
