How real is the image of legal eagle barristers?

Chris Ronan

Barristers. They are academic high-flyers – superstars of the legal profession around whom Hollywood movies and acclaimed TV dramas like Silk and Judge Deed are based.

Steeped in tradition and part of the oldest judicial system in the western world, their lives and struggles fascinate us.

Just like the police and crime drama, film and television producers are constantly searching for the kudos of gritty realism among their number.

But how real is the portrayal of the bewigged professionals who conspire to tie their victims up in knots on the witness stand?

According to Chris Ronan, the chief executive of St John’s Buildings chambers in Manchester, while even the goings-on in Silk starring Maxine Peak et al enthral the legal professional, the real workings of the barristers’ profession are shifting like moving sand.

In short, SJB is modernising, embracing business models the profession has hitherto been untouched by.

With what he euphemistically describes eight growth events (mergers or acquisitions of other chambers) since 2002 when the it was known as 28 St John Street, Ronan says the chambers are trying to “mirror the changes taking place in other sectors”.

“The way barristers work, is they are self employed, but they group together in chambers,” he explained. “We operate a limited company (SJB) to service our barristers and look after their professional needs. It’s a collective.

“Some barristers have 100% of their own cases and others expect to be given work from the chambers.

“We have 240 barristers in four sites, where are in Liverpool, Chester, Sheffield and here in Manchester. There are 125 in Manchester.”

“I am the “Billy” of the practice (reference to Silks character Billy Lamb, senior clerk at chambers). But things have moved on a lot from the way barristers are seen in the series.

He went on: “We are improving improving accessibility of our service to clients, and we are doing well, coming off the back of a three-year strategic plan, including digitisation or paperless working.

“In terms of individual member earning we are aiming to help barristers achieve their objectives.”

At its last year end in September, 2016, turnover was £36m, up 7% on the prior year.

Ronan also hailed the work of Sally Harrison QC who is head of chambers and specialises in high profile matrimonial finance.

“Most of the business focus is to allow barristers to concentrate on what they do,” added Ronan.

SJB’s main areas of activity are: employment, commercial crime, family, court of protection, civil (personal injury and clinical negligence).

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