Our History

KBW was established as 11 King's Bench Walk, Temple in 1954 by George Waller QC, who subsequently became leader of the North Eastern Circuit, a High Court Judge, and finally a Lord Justice of Appeal.

Although Chambers was for many years based at this address in London, the members of 11 King’s Bench Walk always had strong links to the North East where most predominantly practised.

From the early days, the quality of the legal knowledge and advocacy provided by 11 King’s Bench Walk was such that it rapidly became the premier set of chambers in the North East, and one of the premier sets of chambers in the country. Former members of Chambers, Lord Taylor and Lord Justice Kennedy, went on to high judicial office as the Lord Chief Justice of England and the Vice-President of the Queen's Bench Division respectively. Over the years, many other members of Chambers have gone on to take judicial appointments: Mr Justice Cobb; His Honour Judge David Savill QC, the Recorder of Leeds; His Honour Judge Angus Stroyan QC, the Recorder of Newcastle; His Honour Judge Geoffrey Baker QC; His Honour Judge Donald Herrod QC; His Honour Judge Peter Mason QC; His Honour Judge William Crawford QC; His Honour Judge Robert Moore; His Honour Judge Guy Whitburn QC; His Honour Judge James Spencer QC; His Honour Judge Roger Thorn QC and His Honour Judge Jeremy Richardson QC.

With the increasing importance of Circuits as regional centres of excellence, the decision was taken in 1982 to open an annex in Park Square, Leeds to offer facilities locally. This was a great success. There then followed the 22 years' leadership of Franz Muller QC, during which time Chambers grew from strength to strength. As Chambers’ work was predominantly in the North East, and as all members of Chambers now lived in the region, the decision was taken in 2004 to move the whole administration of Chambers from London to the North East. Leeds was chosen as the leading legal centre and also as a place geographically central to the North Eastern Circuit.

Despite this move, Chambers remains committed to the principles of excellence which have been held dear from the very beginning of 11 King’s Bench Walk and remains proud of its history. Although no longer based at 11 King’s Bench Walk, the link with this history has been preserved in the choice of our new name: KBW.