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A reckoning with history: Hardwicke Chambers to change name

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16 June 2021
Issue: 7937 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
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Hardwicke Chambers is changing its name to Gatehouse Chambers, due to its namesake’s historic links with slavery.

The change will take place on 19 July, when the set moves premises from its current premises on New Square to 1 Lady Hale Gate.

During the Black Lives Matter protests in 2020, legal bloggers investigated some historic legal figures including the 18th century Lord Chancellor, Lord Hardwicke. It came to light that he was one of two authors of the Yorke-Talbot opinion in 1729 which gave legal justification to slave owners for many years. Members of chambers did not feel comfortable with this history and elected to change the name.

Brie Stevens-Hoare QC, joint head of chambers, said: ‘The discovery of the provenance of our business’ name did not sit comfortably with our values as an organisation, or the inclusive and diverse nature of our people and our clients. We have spent many years building up a reputation for excellence, innovation and diversity.’

Issue: 7937 / Categories: Legal News , Profession
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