Specialist media and defamation set One Brick Court - the chambers led by former solicitor general Lord Garnier (Edward Garnier QC) - is to close this year, blaming an imbalance between senior and junior tenants. It will formally dissolve on 24 June.

In an announcement this morning the chambers said that in the modern era, a 'small specialist set of chambers is vulnerable to unplanned events’. It added that although it is 'currently financially stable’, unexpected departures and a retirement have affected the structural balance between leaders and juniors.

‘We have decided to anticipate further potential difficulties in the medium to longer term future by arranging an orderly dissolution over the next three months. We would all have wished to carry on, but have regrettably concluded that this is no longer the responsible course to follow,’ it said.

The chambers said all members have been united in seeking to manage the process with the minimum disruption to clients, work and staff.

Members will be joining other chambers and detals will be announced in the coming months, the announcement said. 'Meanwhile, we will carry on as normal and continue to accept instructions. Our barristers and staff will work with clients to ensure that there is minimal disruption to continuing professional relationships which we hope will continue for many years to come at our new professional homes.’

This morning, Doughty Street Chambers said former One Brick Court tenants Heather Rogers QC, Caroline Addy, and Claire Overman would be joining the set on 1 May. Another set, 5RB, which specialises in media and communications law, said seven One Brick Court tenants had joined the chambers.

Also moving on, to Ely Place Chambers, is Timothy Atkinson, who has accepted an invitation to join Ely Place's media & sport team.

Chambers leader Lord Garnier was called to the bar in 1976, taking silk in 1995. He served as a Conservative MP from 1992 until 2017 and was solicitor general from 2010 to 2012.