*/
Name: John Holland
Position: Chambers Manager
Chambers: 2 Paper Buildings
There have been significant changes happening at 2 Paper Buildings: a new head of chambers, expanding to new premises and a new identity. Why now?
It seems that everything is happening at once, but these changes have been planned over a good period of time. The decision to move to bigger and better premises was taken some time ago, and it has taken a while to get everything right. Sir Desmond decided that the move would be the right time for him to step down as head of chambers after nearly quarter of a century, and Harendra de Silva QC is taking over as the new head. We also thought that, with the change of address and a new head of chambers, the time was right for a new name as well.
You have recently taken on a new senior clerk as well?
Whilst we may have a new home, a new head and a new name, we wanted to go back to a more traditional clerking structure. We were absolutely delighted to capture the services of Michael Martin as our new senior clerk. He is one of the true heavyweights in clerking and his leadership, knowledge and wealth of experience will play a huge role in the years to come.
Creating a new identity is relatively new at the Bar and goes against tradition. Were your members happy with this?
There was overwhelming support for the move, but a recognition that we couldn’t go on calling ourselves 2PB at a different address. We didn’t want to lose our identity and knew that our new name would say something about us as a brand, balancing the chambers’ traditions with our modern approach. We felt that simply taking the name of our new address wouldn’t do that and so we have gone for something a little less traditional. We used an excellent marketing firm to assist us and got our members closely involved with this project, as ultimately, the members are the identity of any chambers. We are really happy with the new name.
Is there anything you’d like to share on chambers’ new identity?
I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a little longer. We are still finalising the design, colour scheme and website, and then we will be ready for the launch of the new name. We hope to publicise this in the April edition of Counsel, so you will have to wait until then.
Why are you making all these changes when the criminal Bar are facing such tough challenges?
The criminal Bar has always faced challenges, and we know that a key part of ensuring survival and success is to make sure that we are fully prepared for what lies ahead. We have been carefully preparing chambers to face the challenges the criminal Bar faces, and these changes are an important part of that business plan. We are optimistic this will put us in a strong position to flourish.
What future challenges do you envisage?
There are so many challenges to the criminal Bar at the moment. Obviously the issue over very high cost cases, and fees more generally, are at the forefront of the mind, but there are also the challenges posed by “in-house” advocates and the proposals for legal disciplinary practices. Frankly, just keeping up with all the consultation processes for the changes is something of a challenge at the moment.
How will the changes to the criminal Bar impact on your chambers?
There is no point in pretending that the real-terms cuts in funding and the seizing of certain work by “in-house” advocates will not have an impact upon us. These are difficult times for the criminal Bar as a whole, but we think that we are extremely well placed to weather the storm, and to emerge from it even stronger. The new premises, the restructuring of the clerking and the new identity are all a part of making sure that we are ready to face the challenges.
When will the new era begin?
Harendra de Silva QC and Michael Martin are already in place, and we hope to be in our new premises in April. The launch of the new identity will be an ongoing project for about 18 months and we hope to start rolling out this project at the beginning of March. It has been a lot of work co-ordinating multiple projects, but we are all looking forward to a new era at these chambers.
John Holland was interviewed by Guy Hewetson and Anil Shah, LPA Legal
There have been significant changes happening at 2 Paper Buildings: a new head of chambers, expanding to new premises and a new identity. Why now?
It seems that everything is happening at once, but these changes have been planned over a good period of time. The decision to move to bigger and better premises was taken some time ago, and it has taken a while to get everything right. Sir Desmond decided that the move would be the right time for him to step down as head of chambers after nearly quarter of a century, and Harendra de Silva QC is taking over as the new head. We also thought that, with the change of address and a new head of chambers, the time was right for a new name as well.
You have recently taken on a new senior clerk as well?
Whilst we may have a new home, a new head and a new name, we wanted to go back to a more traditional clerking structure. We were absolutely delighted to capture the services of Michael Martin as our new senior clerk. He is one of the true heavyweights in clerking and his leadership, knowledge and wealth of experience will play a huge role in the years to come.
Creating a new identity is relatively new at the Bar and goes against tradition. Were your members happy with this?
There was overwhelming support for the move, but a recognition that we couldn’t go on calling ourselves 2PB at a different address. We didn’t want to lose our identity and knew that our new name would say something about us as a brand, balancing the chambers’ traditions with our modern approach. We felt that simply taking the name of our new address wouldn’t do that and so we have gone for something a little less traditional. We used an excellent marketing firm to assist us and got our members closely involved with this project, as ultimately, the members are the identity of any chambers. We are really happy with the new name.
Is there anything you’d like to share on chambers’ new identity?
I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a little longer. We are still finalising the design, colour scheme and website, and then we will be ready for the launch of the new name. We hope to publicise this in the April edition of Counsel, so you will have to wait until then.
Why are you making all these changes when the criminal Bar are facing such tough challenges?
The criminal Bar has always faced challenges, and we know that a key part of ensuring survival and success is to make sure that we are fully prepared for what lies ahead. We have been carefully preparing chambers to face the challenges the criminal Bar faces, and these changes are an important part of that business plan. We are optimistic this will put us in a strong position to flourish.
What future challenges do you envisage?
There are so many challenges to the criminal Bar at the moment. Obviously the issue over very high cost cases, and fees more generally, are at the forefront of the mind, but there are also the challenges posed by “in-house” advocates and the proposals for legal disciplinary practices. Frankly, just keeping up with all the consultation processes for the changes is something of a challenge at the moment.
How will the changes to the criminal Bar impact on your chambers?
There is no point in pretending that the real-terms cuts in funding and the seizing of certain work by “in-house” advocates will not have an impact upon us. These are difficult times for the criminal Bar as a whole, but we think that we are extremely well placed to weather the storm, and to emerge from it even stronger. The new premises, the restructuring of the clerking and the new identity are all a part of making sure that we are ready to face the challenges.
When will the new era begin?
Harendra de Silva QC and Michael Martin are already in place, and we hope to be in our new premises in April. The launch of the new identity will be an ongoing project for about 18 months and we hope to start rolling out this project at the beginning of March. It has been a lot of work co-ordinating multiple projects, but we are all looking forward to a new era at these chambers.
John Holland was interviewed by Guy Hewetson and Anil Shah, LPA Legal
Name: John Holland
Position: Chambers Manager
Chambers: 2 Paper Buildings
As we look ahead to Justice Week 2022, the sustainability of the Criminal Bar remains a critical issue for the government to address
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Fear of the collection and test process is a common factor among clients, especially among vulnerable adults in complex family law cases. Cansford Laboratories shares some tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible
Casey Randall explains how complex relationship DNA tests can best be used – and interpreted – by counsel
Casey Randall, Head of DNA at AlphaBiolabs, explores what barristers need to know about DNA testing for immigration, including when a client might wish to submit DNA evidence, and which relationship tests are best for immigration applications
Julian Morgan reminds barristers of the top five areas to consider before 5 April
Barristers are particularly at risk of burnout because of the nature of our work and our approach to it but it doesnt have to be this way. Jade Bucklow explores how culture, work and lifestyle changes can rejuvinate our mental health...
The case ofR v Brecanihas complicated matters for defence lawyers. Emma Fielding talks to gang culture expert, Dr Simon Harding about County Lines, exploitation and modern slavery
If the Bar cannot define and prohibit bullying behaviour, what chance do we have of persuading the Judiciary to do so? Darren Howe QC and Professor Jo Delahunty QC's call to action on codification plus suggested strategies for dealing with bullying from the Bar and Bench
The Schools Consent Project (SCP) is educating tens of thousands of teenagers about the law around consent to challenge and change what is now endemic behaviour. Here, its founder, barrister Kate Parker talks to Chris Henley QC about SCPs work and its association with Jodie Comers West End playPrima Facie, in which she plays a criminal barrister who is sexually assaulted
Professionally embarrassed? The circumstances in which criminal barristers may return instructions to appear at trial have become clearer following the Court of Appeal judgment inR v Daniels By Abigail Bright
