Newcastle barristers Parklane Plowden relocate to city centre to further enable growth plans

Parklane Plowden Chambers has announced it is relocating from its Newcastle premises in Lombard House on the quayside to new premises within Portland House in the city centre.

The set will move out of Lombard House at the end of June 2023 and, after a short stay in serviced offices, is expected to move into Portland House in September. The move is part of the set’s ongoing strategic growth plans and will also bring them closer to Newcastle Civic Centre where the Newcastle Civil & Family Courts and Tribunals Centre is located.

The relocation will see Parklane Plowden’s members and team of six clerks, led by chambers’ director Michael Stubbs and practice director Sharon Robson, occupy 2,000 sq ft of newly refurbished Grade A office accommodation on the first floor of the Grade-II listed building on New Bridge Street.

Sitting opposite the Laing Art Gallery, Portland House benefits from being adjacent to the city’s redeveloped Pilgrim’s Quarter, a prestigious project which is part of the historic Pilgrim Street development.

The Grade II listed part of Portland House includes a 19th century maternity hospital designed by famed architect John Dobson. The building was later the local headquarters of the BBC and was used during the filming of the Ken Loach film I, Daniel Blake.

Commenting on the relocation, head of chambers, James Murphy, said: “Our new accommodation at Portland House will provide us with a high quality, flexible workspace in an excellent location in the heart of the city.

“We pride ourselves on being a vibrant and progressive set and this move demonstrates our commitment to providing excellent outcomes for our clients and being the place where talented people want to work.

“As part of our ongoing investment strategy, which saw the extensive refurbishment of our Leeds premises in 2021, the Newcastle relocation will give us room to grow and welcome more members and staff colleagues.”

Michael Stubbs, chambers’ director, said “Leaving the quayside after over two decades in Lombard House is an exciting next step for chambers and for our clients.

“Our core practice areas of chancery and commercial, employment, family and clinical negligence and personal injury have grown dramatically over the last fifteen years and this move will enable us to further build on that success. Our progressive approach to practice management will be reflected in our new and modern workspace. Sharon, the team, and I cannot wait to get settled in and show our loyal clients our new home.”

Parklane Plowden provides unrivalled strength and depth of expertise with 59 barristers rated by both Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 where it is ranked as a band one set on the North-eastern Circuit in nine practice areas.