Birmingham barrister groups St Philips and No5 Chambers have benefited from the demise of rival Three Fountain Court.

St Philips said yesterday it had picked up 20 of TFC's barristers while 17 have joined No5.

A handful of others are believed to have gone to Citadel and St Ives.

TFC announced it was dissolving last month.

It is believed that the crisis was in large part because of the mainly publicly funded Legal Aid type work carried out. It is suggested that TFC was being squeezed at both ends.

Barristers' fees have barely moved in ten years and, it is said, the chambers was facing a substantial rent rise at its city centre premises.

St Philips chief executive Jonathan Fox said the new recruits - claimed to be the majority of TFC's criminal team - were already in place.

He said: "The coming together of these two teams has created one of the largest criminal groups in the country consisting of eight QCs and 62 Juniors. The strength and depth that will be on offer is unrivalled outside London. We now have dominance in both commercial and criminal work outside London."

In total the number of St Philips barristers rises from around 145 to 165.

Practitioners who have joined are: Steven Linehan QC, Kate Iliffe, Philip Parker QC, Tim Green, Naomi Gilchrist, Jonas Hankin, Kristina Montgomery, Bernard Linneman, Heidi Kubik, Lee Marklew, Andrew Jackson, James Dunstan, Matthew Barnes, Raj Punia, Francis Laird, Tom Walkling, Graeme Simpson and Patrick Darby. In addition, Susan Todd will be joining the family team.

Richard Adams - formally of No6 Fountain Court/Cornwall Street Chambers - is also to join the criminal group with immediate effect.

The newcomers to No5 Chambers represent 250 years' combined experience in the legal profession, and include one silk.

Gareth Evans, head of No5 Chambers, added: "Three Fountain Court chambers has been a dominant force in the region's legal sector for nearly 100 years now and we are privileged to welcome them into our midst."

This now takes No5 Chambers to over 180 members and 15 silks across its Birmingham, Bristol and London offices.

"The knowledge and experience of our newest members represents an invaluable addition to the work we do across the country and further afield," said Tony McDaid, practice director.

"Such is the calibre of their expertise that, had we compiled a list of ideal barristers to join us from 'No 3', the names of all our new members would have appeared.

"The chance to bring together such a large group of similarly minded individuals with the same approachable ethos, culture and operating style as No5 represents a major coup for us. It also provides continuity to Birmingham's legal profession and the high standards previously provided by Three Fountain Court."

The new members are Robert Juckes QC, Michael Burrows, Michael Duck, David Jones, David Mason, Adrian Keeling, Phil Bradley, Steven Bailey, Tom Schofield, Andrew Wallace, Daniel Oscroft and Tim Pole, all criminal, John Butterfield and Shenaz Muzaffer, both personal injury/criminal, Donald McConville, chancery and commercial, Helen Arthur and Victoria Clifford, both family, and pupil, Sarah Allen.