History

Citadel Chambers is, in origin, the oldest set of Barristers Chambers in Birmingham and one of the first Chambers established outside the Inns of Court in London.   It was initially situated at 77 Colmore Row.

The Law List recorded provincial barristers for the first time in 1909, and in that year there were 30 barristers in Birmingham, of whom 10 were listed as practising from 77 Colmore Row. The Chambers had a wide ranging practice in the fields of crime, chancery, family, industrial injuries, mining, planning, licensing, and intellectual property.   It remained in Colmore Row for 50 years before moving to Cavendish House in Waterloo Street,  and then in 1965 to 4 Fountain Court on Steelhouse Lane.

In 2001, 4 Fountain Court merged with Coleridge Chambers and moved to Citadel building at 190 Corporation Street, directly opposite both the old Victoria Law Courts and the new Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts. 

Judicial appointments

From the time of Sir Henry Maddocks Q.C., the Recorder of Birmingham in 1925, numerous members of Chambers have been appointed to the senior ranks of the Judiciary.   Since the Courts Act in 1971 Chambers has seen the appointment of 22 members, and 13 since 1994, including 3 High Court Judges and 2 Recorders of Birmingham.   Other members of Chambers have been appointed to other judicial positions  - Tribunal Chairmen, District Judges and the like.   At present, 14 members of Chambers sit as Recorders in the Crown Court, and there are 6 part time Tribunal Chairmen/Deputy District Judges.

The most recent appointments have included :

• The Honourable Mr Justice Mitting
• the late Mr Justice Wakerley
• The Honourable Mr Justice Saunders
• His Honour Judge Cavell
• His Honour Judge Tonking (Recorder of Stafford)
• His Honour Judge Webb
• His Honour Judge Glenn (Recorder of Stoke on Trent)
• His Honour Judge Maxwell
• His Honour Judge Patrick Thomas Q.C.
• His Honour Judge Nawaz
• His Honour Judge Gosling
• His Honour Judge Creed
• Judge Cadbury
• Judge Parkes