History of Chambers

Robin Purchas QC is now Head of Chambers. Chambers moved from 2 Harcourt Buildings to Francis Taylor Building at the beginning of 2007; this was to secure the best quality of facilities for the clients of Chambers as well as accommodating expansion within Chambers. Francis Taylor Building was built in 1957 to the designs of Sir Edward Maufe, replacing buildings destroyed in the Blitz. The site was formerly occupied by the Exchequer Office (1665, rebuilt in 1830) and part of Tanfield Court buildings (1881). Tanfield Court (on the west side of the range, now part of Church Court) was named after Sir Lawrence Tanfield (d. 1625). The name of the present building commemorates Sir Francis Kyffin Taylor QC, later Lord Maenan (d. 1951), a bencher of the Inner Temple for 46 years.

Former Heads of Chambers

1920 - 1950 W.H Cartwright Sharp K.C.

1950 - 1965 Eric Blain QC, later Mr. Justice Blain

1965 - 1997 Peter Boydell QC

1997 - 2001 Gerard Ryan QC

Other Distinguished Members of Chambers

Hugh Forbes QC
Later Mr. Justice Forbes

Michael Mann QC
Later Lord Justice Mann

Sir John Drinkwater QC

Roy Vandermeer OBE QC

Sir Michael Harrison QC
Formerly Mr. Justice Harrison

Shelia Cameron CBE QC