Herbert Smith to increase use of solicitor-advocates

Herbert Smith to increase use of solicitor-advocates

Herbert Smith, the City's most highly rated litigation practice, is set to increase its use of solicitor-advocates in hearings, after the new head of the department said it was sometimes too quick to instruct barristers.

David Gold, who has taken over from Harry Anderson as head of litigation and arbitration, said that developing Herbert Smith's in-house advocacy capability was one of the key priorities for his five-year term.

It currently has 31 solicitor-advocates.

'We encourage everyone who qualifies to gain higher rights,' he said.

'Now we are trying to encourage our solicitors to take on more of the advocacy work.'

Mr Gold identified interlocutory hearings as one area ripe for solicitor-advocates, saying that 'in the past we have perhaps been too quick to instruct counsel'.

A solicitor who has lived and breathed a case is better able to handle hearings than 'a barrister who comes in on the day', he said.

Herbert Smith is also making greater use of its solicitor-advocates as junior counsel in major trials, as this is the best way for them to learn, he added.

Meanwhile, Anna Carboni, Linklaters' London intellectual property head, is leaving to join the bar.

Ms Carboni, a solicitor-advocate, will move to Wilberforce Chambers.

She said the bar offered her 'slightly more control' over her own destiny, as well as the opportunity to concentrate more on advocacy.

'As a partner at Linklaters, you have so many other responsibilities that there is only a certain amount [of advocacy] you can do,' she said.

Neil Rose