History
George Carter LLP was founded on May 1, 2007. At that time, the partners, Gaynor Lloyd, Martin Standen, Philip Vickers and Ping Leung had worked together for many years, Gaynor and Martin for a quarter of a century, with Philip eighteen years and Ping, the "newcomer" at eleven years. We have also been lucky enough to have the great experience of our colleague Andrew Steel, in private client matters from our beginnings. Our first years saw many changes (although not (major) in charge out rates) and some challenges. These included a move (and some practical tuition in construction law), a close shave with the major fire at our next door neighbours, the Immigration Appeals Tribunal and - who could forget - the property recession. However, we also welcomed a senior commercial litigator Steven Dale, and – by way of being our trainee – Hei Leung has joined our team of experienced property banking private client lawyers.
George Carter LLP's base has been in Bream's Buildings EC4 from its beginnings. The firm started in the basement at 27 Bream's Buildings, an iconic Grade 2 Listed 1960's building. Its white TwinTiles construction was a hallmark of the work of its Architects, Yorke, Rosenberg & Mardall in the late 60's and early 70's - advocating tiling as a crisp modern style better suited to the British climate than exposed and quickly discoloured concrete. The firm's senior partner, F R S Yorke, occupied the penthouse flat in the building, where he kept a renowned collection of specialist art. Some of our partners came across another example of that practice's white TwinTiles construction earlier in their careers, as it encased Laing's Blackburn Shopping Centre - home of some hair-raising rent review litigation in the 1980's in which they were involved.
After eight hectic and very satisfying months looking out - when work allowed - over St Dunstan's graveyard to a fine view of what used to be the Public Records Office - now King's College Library - the firm moved to its present location on the upper floors of 11-13 Bream's Buildings. The move – at Christmas 2007 – followed a substantial refurbishment, providing modern well specified office accommodation – and in the case of George Carter LLP's floors – the use of quite a lot of our signature orange colour. 11-13 Bream's Buildings' light and airy office space lies behind an attractive period facade – and rather a different kind of "white tile" east facade, described by unkind clients as lavatorial – but much beloved of the City of London's Conservation Officer for its industrial links.
We celebrated our first anniversary on May 1st, 2008, closely followed by what turned out to be the first of many gambles for the second year of the practice by going to the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Year 3's launch was rather more sedate – a brief saunter round the Museum of Garden History in the morning, lunch and a quiet snooze (for some of us) in the National Film Theatre – accompanied by James Bond – in the afternoon. We celebrated our third anniversary by a visit to the Chelsea Flower Show after a very long lunch at The Stoclpot in the King’s Road. Our fourth anniversary has so far not been formally celebrated - and so that is the subject of a firm resolution for 2012 to celebrate our fifth anniversary with redoubled enthusiasm. We hope clients will make allowances for our celebrations, as they did, so tolerantly, in previous years.
In April 2011, we were delighted to become one of the first firms to gain accreditation of The Law Society’s Conveyancing Quality Scheme. So now we are what our professional body is pleased to call “ambassadors for a new standard in the home-buying process”. This year, we bid a fond farewell to our subtenants with whom we have shared from the beginning – but we are looking forward to fully occupying our building and offering new services with the same ethos and – we like to think - style!