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 the St David’s area of Exeter 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
Former Judge on the Western Circuit
His Honour Judge Francis Gilbert QC
Former Resident Judge Plymouth CC and later Hon. Recorder of Exeter and Resident Judge Exeter CC.
His Honour Judge John Neligan
Former Judge on the Western Circuit
His Honour Judge Andrew Chubb
Former Judge on the Western Circuit
Her Honour Judge Miranda Robertshaw
Judge on the Western Circuit
Her Honour Judge Sarah Munro KC
Judge on the Western Circuit, now a judge at the Central Criminal Court
His Honour Judge Martin Edmunds KC
Judge on the South Eastern Circuit, now the Hon. Recorder of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
His Honour Judge Geoffrey Mercer QC
Former Judge on the Western Circuit, and Hon. Recorder of Exeter and Resident Judge Exeter CC
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.