News


Serle Court “offers a variety of skill sets that others can’t provide, and houses some of the biggest names at the Bar”
Chambers UK
The ‘go-to’ set for international trusts work, Serle Court houses ‘first-rate advisers, who also pull their weight as part of a team’
Legal 500

Serle Court appoints Kathryn Purkis as new Chambers Director

Serle Court is delighted to announce that Kathryn Purkis is to be appointed into a new role as Chambers Director. Steve Whitaker will continue as Head Clerk.

Kathryn has been a barrister for 30 years. For a large part of that time, she has been in independent practice from Lincoln’s Inn, mostly at Serle Court, and has also spent time in partnership in Jersey, including gaining invaluable experience as Managing Partner/joint Managing Partner of her firm. On returning to Serle Court, she has been centrally involved in Chambers’ management. Kathryn, therefore, has an intimate knowledge of Serle Court, the workings of the Bar and the legal market more widely. She will now be retiring from practice at the Bar to focus on developing her new role as Chambers Director.

Serle Court wishes to express its thanks to its outgoing Chief Executive, John Petrie MBE, for his 7 years of dedicated service. He will be joining 1 Crown Office Row on 1 February 2022 as their Chambers Director. John has overseen a period of significant growth at Serle Court and over the past two years has very successfully led a detailed chambers’ strategic planning process, of which Kathryn’s appointment forms part. Members of Chambers are immensely grateful to John for his invaluable contribution during his time as Chief Executive, and they wish him every success at his new set.

Commenting on the appointment, Kathryn said:

I am thrilled to be taking on this new challenge with Chambers. I have really enjoyed my career as a practising lawyer, and am very proud of my success at the Chancery and Jersey bars. But to lead Serle Court to attain even greater heights than it already enjoys is a fantastic opportunity. I really look forward to my return to management, especially to reframing and developing relationships with my colleagues and all our clients, and to the bright future that I am sure will lie ahead.

Head of Chambers, Liz Jones QC added:

“We’ve been lucky to have John Petrie over the last 7 years as Chief Executive and we are very grateful to him for everything he has done. We are very excited to appoint Kathryn Purkis as Chambers Director, given her extensive knowledge of Chambers combined with her experience managing a law firm. We are all looking forward to working together.”