Chambers People
WHAT IS A BARRISTERS' CHAMBERS?
Many applicants to Chambers People have no previous knowledge of working in barristers' chambers and do not know much about their structures. There are approximately 11,500 practising barristers in England and Wales, who operate from 355 chambers spread across the country, but with about 210 chambers located in London.
A barristers' chambers is a collection of like minded individual barristers who practice at the same address, sharing the same administration services.
Typically the staff are headed by a Senior Clerk, who together with Junior Clerks, and other support staff, including "fee" clerks for credit control, manage all aspects of the barristers' professional lives, including arranging court cases, and negotiating fees for the work done by the barristers.
The Chambers Administrator deals with the office management and supervises the other support staff, including the Receptionist/Telephonist, Librarian and Secretarial services.
WHAT IS A BARRISTERS' CLERK?
A barrister's clerk is the person who is responsible for every aspect of the barristers professional, and sometimes their personal lives! Clerks have to be adaptable and flexible, and prepared to share in the ups and downs of the barristers' career. Clerks are a combination of agent, negotiator, confidant and friend. They have to have the instincts of a used car salesman, theatrical agent and .......nanny! The succesful clerks are able to juggle many things at the same time, and are constantly planning ahead, many days, months and years, to ensure that the barristers' career path is maintained.
ESSENTIAL QUALITIES REQUIRED TO BE A GOOD BARRISTERS' CLERK:
Common Sense, Politeness, Punctuality, Communication Skills, Initiative, Independent thinking, Prioritisation, Reliability, Honesty, Integrity, Dilligence
GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS FOR JUNIOR CLERK POSITIONS
If you wish to become a Junior Barristers' Clerk, then ideally you will need to be aged between 16-21, and ready to start a interesting and varied career. You will have lots of common sense, but you do not need a degree education. Most chambers simply require a minimum of 5 GSCE's at A-C Grade, including Maths and English. Many prefer candidates to have good A'levels. Some, but only very few, will consider graduates. You need to be in good health, and physically fit - able to lift and carry heavy books and papers when required. You need to have a good sense of humour, and able to communicate well to people at all levels. You will have to be self motivated and manage your time well. There will be very little chance to relax - be prepared for hard work!
If none of the above has put you off, then Chambers People would be pleased to hear from you.
Clerking is a progressive career, and your hard work and experience will be well rewarded. The salary range for beginners is typically between £11,500 - £13,000 pa. However, many more senior barrister's clerks earn substantial salaries, according to age and experience.
GUIDANCE FOR APPLICANTS FOR ADMINISTRATION POSITIONS IN CHAMBERS
Administration staff in barristers' chambers are required for the non-clerking responsibilities which include: finances, property and facilities management, and secretarial support functions. Candidates should therefore have a proven track record in such work. Experience of Human Resource Management is an advantage, and for posts that deal with chambers finances, knowledge of SAGE software would be very useful (SAGE is one of the most popular book-keeping systems used in chambers as it can be integrated with chambers diary and fee management systems).
YOUR CAREER PROGRESSION If you already work in chambers, you might benefit from a training need assessment, and then some specific training on various aspects of your job in chambers - Diary and Practice Management, Fees, or even on other areas, including practice meetings with a barrister, telephone technique, personality profiling, and time management.
TIPS FOR CANDIDATES BEFORE INTERVIEW
Do prepare for the interview - check out the website and read the Job Description (if available) in advance. Remember, your CV is the key to the door - you are already halfway to your new job. Do sell yourself!
No-one else can do it for you. Chambers are looking for staff with good communication skills, polite, presentable, with good common sense and problem solving abilities. Chambers are very traditional environments.
Don't turn up to interviews wearing heavy jewellery or face furniture! Do have clean shoes and hands!
Do turn up a little ahead of the appointment time, and if you are going to be late, call and explain.
But do not panic. The above list can be downloaded as a Word Document. Click here:
TIPS FOR INTERVIEWSWORD of WARNING If you have legal qualifications, or are hoping to get a training contract with a solicitors firm, or a pupillage with chambers, then Chambers People is unlikely to be able to help you find a position as a junior barristers' clerk. Sorry!
