Hardwicke Building has the best website of any barristers’ chambers in the UK, according to a survey of barristers’ websites, conducted by Intendance, in association with legal recruiter LPA.
Outer Temple Chambers scored only one percent lower than the winner and Monckton Chambers came third in the survey, which graded 100 chambers websites on content, design and usability.
Other high scorers included Blackstone Chambers; 2 and 7 Bedford Row; 9 Old Square; 11 King’s Bench Walk; 2 Harcourt Building and 1 Hare Court.
Meanwhile, 48 Bedford Row was castigated for having the ‘worst’ website by a large margin — although with only two tenants, some would says the comparison with large, wealthy, commercial sets is probably unfair.
The two sets located at 11 New Square were second from the bottom, while larger sets with sub-standard websites include 24 Old Buildings; Coram Chambers; Tanfield Chambers; 1 Crown Office Row; Furnival Chambers; 6 King’s Bench Walk and 4 Brick Court.
Most chambers’ sites scored highly in the design category, with an average rating of 76%, but website content was generally weaker, with an average score of just 52% reflecting this.
Nearly half (48%) of the 100 websites audited as part of the survey scored between 61% and 70%, suggesting that chambers are making a conscious effort to keep up with one another in terms of developing their web presence.
The report found that chambers have a higher ‘take-up’ rate than solicitors and accountancy firms: only five out of the 100 chambers sampled did not have a functional website.
This finding reinforces the idea that, while barristers might be considered more individualist than solicitors and accountants in their approach to work, they recognise the need for a collective approach to marketing.
Sixty-one percent of chambers had a news section on their sites with some, notably New Square Chambers, incorporating externally generated legal news feeds.
Eighty-one percent had a dedicated section for pupillage, whilst 21% had online application procedures and down-loadable application forms.
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Hardwicke leads the way in barristers’ website rankings
Published: 13/05/2004 00:00
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