Recruitment

Life as a junior tenant

As a new tenant in Chambers, you can expect work similar to that which was undertaken in a second six months' pupillage. However, the difficulty and value of the cases in which you are instructed will increase rapidly. New tenants can expect to be in court between three and six times per week, as well as dealing with all manner of paperwork. Junior tenants may also be led by more senior members of Chambers in larger and higher-profile matters.

Unlike in many sets, all members of Chambers have their own room. Junior members are encouraged, if they wish, to share a room for a short period of time with a more established practitioner. We believe that this allows further opportunities to gain tips on approaches to work, client handling and tactics, and to settle into life at the Bar.

In the first full year of work a junior tenant can expect gross earnings to exceed £50,000. An independent barrister in private practice is self-employed and, as with all new businesses, cash-flow can be a real problem.

Chambers has a fees' clerk whose role (as the title suggests) is to ensure the rapid collection of outstanding fees. This enables sums billed to translate swiftly into cheques received. The cash-flow difficulties that might otherwise be experienced are thus curtailed. In addition, Chambers also recognises the particular financial challenges that are experienced in the early months of tenancy. We will strive to take a flexible and accommodating approach to any difficulties that may arise.