Following Three Stone Chambers’ tenth anniversary party, held on Lincoln’s Inn North Lawn on 30th June 2026, David Lord KC looks back over the past decade and shares some memories of Chambers’ first ten years.

The merger that formed Three Stone Chambers

It was with a mix of excitement and trepidation that we embarked upon the merger process. Coming from 3 Stone Buildings, I knew Justin Brown and John McDonnell but not that many of the others at Thirteen Old Square Chambers. How would we all get on? What were they like? How do you get two distinct sets of Chambers with individual characters, all with their own idiosyncrasies, to gel? And what about the clerks’ room, full of big personalities, would they be able to work together? We pored over room plans trying to decide who should be situated next to who, we agonised over the name of the new Chambers, we argued about some things (but never the important ones) and we planned for the launch party.

The party was held on 23^rd June 2016, the date of the EU referendum, and I think I can comfortably say the merger of the two Chambers has been achieved more smoothly than Brexit! That has been down to the leadership of the ever-young and mercurial John McDonnell, the hard work of Robert Bourne and the Management Committee, and, perhaps, most significantly, the endeavours of the clerks’ room. Justin, Gary, Bill, Steve and Frank have all worked tirelessly and with good humour, putting up with all our foibles and making sure our practices run smoothly.

Relationships built on trust

We are more than a set of Chambers, we are a group of individuals who respect and support each other and, for whatever reason, get along. There is a real collegiate atmosphere in Chambers. I have made many life-long friends over the last 10 years. Whether that is over a drink in the MCR, playing darts in my room (I should acknowledge that Kate and Zara are the reigning doubles’ champions!) or, more energetically, table tennis wherever the table finds its current home.

Some personal highlights: Christmas Dinners at Cabotte, watching Sebastian trying to blow smoke rings with a Bong while he, Adam and I were doing a case in the Seychelles, visiting the Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City whilst doing a case for the Church (I was not allowed in), judging the final of the City University Mooting Competition at Court 1 of the Supreme Court (whilst sitting in the presiding judge’s seat) with Robert and Sebastian, watching Rupert’s umbrella cartwheel away in the wind whilst playing golf at Hanbury Manor, going to the Romanian christening of Daria’s baby, watching cricket at Lord’s and the Oval with instructing solicitors (let me know if you want tickets next year).

Trips, talks, and navigating challenges

There have been trips to the Channel Islands and the Caribbean to see our friends there. I have lost count of the seminars and drinks receptions we have hosted, the books we are involved in writing, the numerous articles written by members of Chambers and personally I am about throw myself into the modern world and record a podcast with Stuart.

On a professional level, members of Chambers have appeared in courts all over the land, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court, Privy Council and in courts in the Far East, the Caribbean, the Indian Ocean, and given expert evidence in the United States, Caribbean and Far East. Our mediation practice has grown and I, personally, have thoroughly enjoyed sitting as an arbitrator.

We managed to navigate the difficulties raised by Covid successfully. Chambers remained cohesive whilst members worked remotely, conducting conferences, trials, appeals and other hearings; whilst yours truly made sure the toilets in Chambers were all flushed three times a week to avoid the risk of Legionnaires disease!

We have recruited well with each newcomer fitting in seamlessly; most recently, Alan, Joseph and Zara, who have all contributed hugely to life in Chambers. And where would we be without Bella, organising our marketing antics and managing to gently cajole busy members of Chambers to do something they think they too busy to do; and Brian, who does all the behind the scenes work on ensuring we comply with the increasing demands of bureaucracy.

Huge thanks are due to our loyal instructing solicitors who consistently instruct us on challenging and important cases. We hope we rise to the challenge and I look forward to the next 10 years by which time I may almost be ready to hang up my wig.

 

---

David Lord KC is a barrister at Three Stone Chambers. His practice comprises Commercial and Chancery Litigation and Arbitration with particular emphasis on Insurance and Reinsurance, Company and Insolvency, Civil Fraud and Asset Tracing and Media and Entertainment in England and other jurisdictions in the Caribbean and Far East.