Gatehouse Chambers
A full rebrand and rapid website turnaround
In early 2021, leading barristers’ set Hardwicke made the decision to rebrand. The change reflected a break from associations with Lord Hardwicke (a co-author of a 1729 legal decision cited by slave owners) and coincided with a move to new premises at 1 Lady Hale Gate. The name Gatehouse Chambers was chosen, and Square Eye was selected – following a competitive process – to deliver a new visual identity, website and supporting materials.
Four months. Full rebrand. New website. No problem.
With a hard deadline tied to the physical move, we had just four months to complete the entire project. With focus at our end and a great partnership with Gatehouse’s decisive and collaborative Marketing Committee, we delivered on time – one of our fastest turnarounds for a project like this.
What we delivered
A fresh identity
We began with our standard brand process: discovery, moodboards, and iterative design. Working closely with the Marketing Committee, we created a new logo and a full visual identity. This extended across all touchpoints—print and digital—ensuring consistent application from business cards and letterheads to PDF templates and PowerPoint decks.
Original illustrations
Before the refurbishment of the new building was complete, our photographer captured key views and interiors. These became the basis for a suite of bespoke illustrations in a distinctive Art Deco style—used across the site and on social media. These images became one of the most talked-about elements of the project.
A premium, content-rich website
We designed and built a clean, modern site using the new brand palette to convey a calm, premium feel. Clutter was stripped away, navigation simplified, and key messages brought to the fore.
As a chambers that regularly produces written, audio and video content—and hosts many events—Gatehouse needed more than just a brochure site. We designed layouts and filters that make browsing people, news, practice areas and events intuitive and elegant.
WebAwards winner
In September 2022, the Square Eye and Gatehouse Chambers teams were delighted to receive a Legal Standard of Excellence award at the WebAwards 2022 for their work on the Gatehouse website.
Advanced cross-referencing links people to practice areas, events to news, and barristers to publications. Sidebar tabs on profile pages help visitors explore related content without losing their place.
Since launch
Gatehouse are one of our busier clients and since the site went live we’ve added many new features to it, including podcasts, improved event booking and management, complex practice area team logic and much more. We also use the illustration style we created to produce event invitations and imagery for us on their social media.
“We were very pleased that our striking new website was recognised by the WebAwards. It means a lot that an objective judging body has found the site to be worthy of recognition in this way. Particularly given that the judging criteria encompassed such a wide range of areas – these included design, innovation, ease of use, content and interactivity, to name a few.
The design route was certainly a departure from the chambers norm, and this did require a leap of faith from us and our members. It is great to see that putting your faith in great design can pay off.”
