Record revenue for Exchange Chambers

BARRISTERS set Exchange Chambers saw turnover climb 10% to a record £25.7m in 2013-14, despite anticipating a drop due to cuts in publicly funded work.

Exchange Chambers, which has offices in Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds, plans to keep members’ contributions at the same level for the fourteenth successive year.
 
Director Tom Handley said: “We are delighted with Chambers’ financial performance – all our departments have performed strongly. We expected, and budgeted for, a drop in turnover this year as a result of the cuts to publicly funded work.  
 
“To increase revenue, and exceed budget, at a time when the Government seems intent on destroying the criminal Bar with its fee cuts, is our best performance yet. It is a great testimony to all our barristers. The quality of our barristers and the multi-disciplinary nature of chambers are our greatest strengths.

“Having a major presence in three cities is also delivering economies of scale and enabling us to keep members’ contributions at such a competitive level.”
 
Bill Braithwaite, head of Exchange Chambers, said: “By keeping members’ contributions at such a competitive level we are also continuing to attract outstanding barristers – and that’s our strategy moving forward.”
 
Exchange Chambers has more than 150 members.