Tillie Sutton Chambers

Tillie Sutton Chambers

“What do you think of the new Tillie Sutton Chambers?”

Alistair looks up from his Caesar Salad. “It was the next inevitable step for the Sutton Syndicate and a smart move, wasn’t it,” he replies with a glance around at fellow diners taking lunch in Middle Temple Hall. “Lord Briggs almost anticipated this in his 20 May Keynote address on AI.”

To bring you, my dear reader, up to date, following the BSB judgment, Sutton Syndicate moved swiftly to launch Tillie online. This means that Tillie Sutton (or more accurately the computational system that drives her) can provide independent legal advice and represent clients.

However, unlike solicitors and barristers, it becomes clear that Tillie Sutton may represent an unlimited number of them simultaneously.

“Perhaps the Syndicate will accommodate a test instruction,” I venture. “I’m free on Thursday,” replies Alistair. “All we need is a challenging legal topic, and Tillie to agree to waive her fee.”

“It should be legal advice that many people want but most can’t afford,” I suggest.

“Very well,” said Alistair. “Let’s find a leaseholder – but a tricky one. A 70 year old owner of a former council flat with less than 80 years remaining who wants to extend his lease. And how about hiding a forfeiture clause within the lease, the sort of thing that many lawyers would never look for and most would miss if they did”.

It was J at the Syndicate who answered our email. ‘Would we like to video conference?’ To which our immediate reply was ‘Of course we would love to chat again with Tillie’.

Unlike our first encounter, our consultation was via TEAMS video and the Tillie Norwood interface was seamless.

“How can I help today?” she asked, “just tell me about the problem in your own words. I understand it relates to leasehold extension. Add the lease to the chatline and I will analyse it whilst we talk.”

“At 79 years remaining, I would advise immediate action. The lease has fallen below the 80-year threshold, increasing the likely premium and reducing future flexibility. The statutory route is likely to offer the safest and most predictable outcome.

I have also reviewed a forfeiture clause I found in the lease. As drafted it’s unenforceable and should not influence your decision-making.”

“Once you have decided to proceed it will take me a few seconds to produce and send the application and supporting documentation to your freeholder – I have found their details”.

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“Well, what did you make of that?” was my first question of Alistair over coffee following the consultation.

“It took Tillie less time to advise us than it did to think up the problem,” Alistair replied. “And she got the hidden forfeiture clause and utterly demolished it,” he continued.

“Very impressive. And to think, we were only one of the clients she was advising as we chatted. Are you going to tell our colleagues in chambers, or shall I?” “No,” said Alistair. “I sense they’ll work it out soon enough.”