Cambridge & Peterborough

The Mess is perhaps the smallest on Circuit with around 60 members. Membership has historically been drawn from Fenners Chambers in Cambridge and 1 and 5 Paper Buildings, Temple. With the establishment of Regency Chambers in Peterborough the membership increased. This coincided with the change in Circuit boundaries that resulted in Peterborough Crown Court coming solely within the SE Circuit.

 The Mess retains a small membership of "Midland & Oxford" Circuit practitioners.

Cambridge Crown Court [Resident Judge: HHJ Hawkesworth] and Peterborough Crown Court [Resident Judge: HHJ Coleman] are the principal Crown Court Centres. A new Crown Court [room] is due to open in Huntingdon. The Crown Court also sits at Wisbech on occasion.

The Mess has a close relationship with all the Judges who sit regularly. If you attend one of the above Court Centres and experience a problem then please contact the Junior who will direct your concern[s] to the Chairman or one of the Mess Representatives [Duncan O'Donnell  of 1 Paper Buildings].

Both Cambridge and Peterborough have busy County Court Centres. Mess membership includes experienced County Court practitioners.

Mess hospitality is legendary! If you don't believe this simply ask Stephen Hockman QC and Rex Tedd QC [past leader of the "Midland & Oxford" Circuit]. Dinners and functions are usually held in one of the Cambridge Colleges.

Want to join? Please contact the Junior.