About Walnut House

History

Chambers began life in Southernhay West, Exeter in 1971 as the annexe of 4 Pump Court, Temple. In the mid-1980s there was an amicable split from London and Neil Butterfield (as he then was) became the first Head of Chambers before being appointed to the High Court Bench.

Chambers moved to Walnut House in 1992 and built a reputation for offering high quality representation in all areas of the law.

A recent move to No. 40 Southernhay East has seen Chambers return to the legal quarter of Exeter and only 1 minute walk to Exeter Combined Court.

Distinguished Members

Chambers has produced a steady stream of QCs and judges including:

Sir Neil Butterfield
Formerly Butterfield J., presiding judge of the Western circuit (Head of Chambers)

His Honour Judge Graham Neville
Judge on the Western Circuit

His Honour Judge Francis Gilbert QC
Resident judge Plymouth CC and later Hon. Recorder of Exeter and resident judge Exeter CC (Head of Chambers).

His Honour Judge John Neligan
Judge on the Western Circuit

His Honour Judge Andrew Chubb
Judge on the Western Circuit

Her Honour Judge Miranda Robertshaw
Judge on the Western Circuit

Her Honour Judge Sarah Munro QC
Judge on the Western Circuit, now a judge at the Central Criminal Court

His Honour Judge Martin Edmunds QC
Judge on the South Eastern Circuit, now the Hon. Recorder of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea

His Honour Judge Geoffrey Mercer QC
Judge on the Western Circuit, now Hon. Recorder of Exeter and resident judge Exeter CC (Head of Chambers).

Her Honour Judge Corinne Searle
Judge on the Western Circuit

His Honour Judge David Evans
Judge on the Western Circuit

Paul Dunkels QC
Described by Chambers & Partners 2018 as the “Senior statesman” of the Western Circuit and a former Head of Chambers.