39 Essex Chambers

Another offers this insight: “I’m currently only a few years into practice and so still do quite a range of work across the majority of chambers’ practice areas. In that time I have worked on matters ranging from advising a local authority on a £100m+ land sale, one of the first cases dealing with damages based agreements post the Supreme Court decision in PACCAR, to complex planning judicial reviews. The breadth of work and legal complexity is highly stimulating. It isn’t all glamour though, there are also the usual run-of-the-mill personal injury or simple court of protection cases at a junior level which does balance things out somewhat.”

Different practice areas naturally come with their own pros and cons. One tenant who has a construction and international arbitration practice tells us that it is “very busy, very pressured, but also very rewarding”. Court of Protection work, which is a big area for the set, is great because “you are able to help people”. Meanwhile, a tenant specialising in planning and environment law, for which 39 Essex also has a leading reputation, tells us that this area “has a great mixture of law and politics, and is usually about the future as opposed to past mistakes”.

Whichever practice areas they work in, tenants at 39 Essex tell us that their work is “consistently stimulating, raising interesting points of law and compelling factual scenarios”. Given the set’s reputation, 39 Essex often receives instructions in high-value, high-profile cases. As one tenant says, “I regularly work on the highest profile cases in my practice areas”, whilst another adds: “the work I do often makes the national news”. Previous cases have involved civil claims for injury and losses arising out of the Grenfell Tower fire, construction plans for a dual-carriageway road tunnel at Stonehenge, and domestic inquiries such as the Hillsborough Inquiry and Soham Inquiry. It certainly seems that there is “never a dull day” at 39 Essex!

Over the past year, tenants have continued to work on exciting cases. Alan Payne KC and Aaron Moss represented Tortoise Media in a judicial review claim against the Conservative Party; David Sawtell was successful in a landmark High Court judgement on legal relations in family loans; and, Stephen Tromans KC and Ruth Keating acted for the Office for Environmental Protection in a landmark UK Supreme Court case concerning Surrey County Council’s new oil wells.

When it comes to work-life balance, one tenant at 39 Essex tells us: “by nature of being a busy set, life boundaries get pushed, but the clerks are very sympathetic and helpful when you need time off or to pull back a bit to get respite”. We are told that the set is big on wellbeing, having a mental health programme including training, a wellbeing officer, a mental health first aider, mentoring, and a buddy system. There is also a “strict 9-6 policy for pupils”, with “most members of chambers taking pride in enforcing it if they see any pupils trying to work later than that”.

More broadly, 39 Essex is said to be a “genuinely supportive and nurturing environment”. One tenant tells us: “while it might be counterintuitive for somewhere large to be extra friendly, it is. Maybe it is that when there is such a wide diversity of people, there is no one “type””. As well as being friendly, there is an open-door policy throughout the set, meaning that if someone is stuck on a piece of work, they can pop into other tenants’ rooms and ask for help. One had this to say: ”Colleagues are always super helpful with any work queries or dilemmas. The various chambers whatsapp groups are absolute lifelines, particularly when you’re in an unexpected crisis and need answers to questions/scenarios you’ve never encountered before. Colleagues are all very generous with their time.” If tenants are working remotely they can be contacted on one of the set’s WhatsApp groups.

Tenants at 39 Essex also enjoy socialising together. We hear that there are “regular drinks on a Friday attended by everyone from the most junior juniors all the way to the silks”. One tenant does reassure us, however, that “not going to chambers drinks is no barrier to social engagement. There are multiple ways of keeping in touch. There are also monthly chambers lunches (for staff, barristers, and pupils all together) and the occasional dinner”.

In terms of location, 39 Essex’s London office is “borderline equivalent to a law firm in the quality of the building”. Following a move to a modern premises in Chancery Lane, 39 Essex’s London home provides a range of facilities including showers, kitchens, underground bike storage, and even a games room! Some members do, however, say that some of the charm of more traditional settings is lost – there are “no coal fires or views over Temple Gardens”, for example. This seems to be compensated for by the modern members’ rooms, which also come with “decent coffee and air conditioning”. As another tenant noted: ““I really wanted the old fashioned barristers’ chambers with wood panelling, but functioning lifts, proper clerking facilities and fab conference rooms have their benefits!”

The IT team are also said to be “awesome and incredibly responsive”, going out of their way to be helpful. Video conferencing capability is available in every conference room – again, tenants describe their facilities as being more akin to those found in a law firm than a chambers.

For those interested in applying for pupillage at 39 Essex Chambers, applications should be made through Pupillage Gateway. The set offers up to three pupillages per year, each with an award of £70,000. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a first-round interview which will focus on a legal problem as well as situational judgement questions. Those who impress will be invited back to a more extensive second-round interview. Beforehand, they will be sent a case, which will form part of the interview discussion. Topical and application-based questions will also be posed.

39 Essex states that it looks to recruit pupils with intellectual ability, oral and written expression ability, interpersonal skills, commitment, drive, efficiency, and interests in one or more of the set’s areas. The set encourages applications from under-represented groups at the bar and participates in schemes such as Bridging the Bar.

Those who successfully obtain pupillage can expect to spend their year sitting with four different pupil supervisors. Generally, pupils will have two supervisors who practice in public law and two who practice in private law. They will typically only complete work for these supervisors. During their first six, pupils will be drafting documents and helping prepare their supervisors’ cases. In the second six, they will begin to take on their own cases, typically small claims or interim applications in larger matters.

Current and past pupils describe pupillage at 39 Essex as “a key sell for chambers”. We are told that the focus is on training, with regular feedback being provided. As one pupil attests: “pupil supervisors are incredibly supportive and understanding that pupillage can be a stressful year. Their friendliness and time in giving feedback has been excellent. Beyond that, the juniors have been wonderful at sitting down with us to chat through our first cases and at being on call for last minute calls and evening sessions to prepare us for getting on our feet.” We hear that continual training is also provided beyond pupillage.

The pupillage experience

39 Essex has a depth of expertise in a wide range of practice areas. Reflecting that, pupillage is split into four different seats: (1) commercial & construction, (2) civil liability, (3) public, and (4) planning, environmental, & property. Seats range between 10 weeks to 12 weeks, and pupils rotate between them throughout the year. There are usually two-three supervisors per seat, with one supervisor taking lead. This was a very valuable aspect of training, as it exposed me to a variety of practices and areas of law.

During my pupillage, I was surprised at how quickly I was exposed to high-quality and fascinating cases. During my first and second seats, I had the benefit of shadowing David Sawtell at the Grenfell Inquiry and Judith Ayling KC at the Supreme Court (in the case of R(on the application of PACCAR) inc v Competition Appeal Tribunal [2023] UKSC 28I). Most of the cases I worked upon were ongoing, live cases.

I think 39 Essex also stands out in its commitment to a healthy work-life balance for its pupils. Throughout my first six months, I never worked past 6pm or on weekends. This was by design: supervisors were very protective of pupils’ time and would not assign work or deadlines that required pupils to work beyond the standard pupillage timetable.

Another important aspect of pupillage at 39 Essex is the practising second six. In the second-six, pupils begin taking on their own cases, in addition to work and assessments for supervisors. You quickly get used to appearing in the small claims court once or twice a week. Opportunities are not limited to that however: I was fortunate to be instructed in a planning inquiry and a public inquiry during my second six.

During each seat, there is a mid-seat review and an end-seat review. Supervisors will complete a written form at both points, reflecting on and summarising all of the work which has been completed. Pupils are assessed across the same areas of competency as the pupillage application process: intellectual ability, expressive ability, interpersonal skills and commitment, drive and efficiency. Pupils also do two written assessments and an oral advocacy assessment, for which feedback is also given. Ultimately, the assessment process for tenancy is very transparent. At the end of each seat, I knew exactly what went well, what didn’t, and how to improve.

At the end of the year, everything goes into a folder for the pupillage committee, who make a formal recommendation to the management board on whether tenancy should be offered or not. Unlike other sets, there is no chambers-wide vote on tenancy and no requirement to make an application for tenancy.

The transition from pupil to tenant

In the weeks leading up to tenancy, 39 arranges a variety of formal and informal meetings for pupils. Meetings are organised with the clerks, management, and finance so that new tenants know what to expect. Likewise, junior tenants will reach out with tips and advice on how to navigate the changing period. In my experience, I’ve relied closely on the large support network of junior tenants at chambers. New tenants are also strongly encouraged to take time off after pupillage. In my case, I spent two-weeks travelling around Croatia and Slovenia.

39 Essex further offers interest-free financial support to new tenants during the transitional period, when income can be less predictable. I was really grateful to receive such support, which helped to alleviate any financial stresses I would otherwise have had. Nevertheless, I’ve been fortunate to have a very full diary of fascinating work throughout my first year of tenancy. I’ve never been short on work, if anything the bigger challenge has been to avoid taking on too much! Generally, I’m in court one to three times a week, at the small claims court, fast track or Court of Protection. The work is extremely varied, which I like.

What is your practice like now?

I am still at the beginning of my practice, but so far, I have really enjoyed it! As mentioned, I am in court two to three times a week on average, mostly in small claims, fast track trials, or Court of Protection hearings. I’m enjoying developing the different styles of advocacy required for each area.

I find that I tend to work hard during the week, but I can be protective of my weekends. I do a variety of led and non-led work, and have been both led and instructed in my own right for cases at the High Court and planning inquiries. I’ve also had the opportunity to be instructed for the Covid Inquiry and seconded to the Financial Ombudsmen Service and a local authority’s rights of way team. My future ambitions are to develop a practice in public, planning, and environmental law.

What is the culture of chambers?

The culture at 39 was one of the biggest draws for me to chambers. While 39 Essex is a larger set, it manages to have a strikingly collegiate atmosphere, supported by a very healthy social life. There are weekly drinks in the clerks room, a monthly chambers lunch, and parties at Christmas and in the summer. There’s usually always someone around for a bite to eat over lunch or a drink at the end of the day as well. There’s also a wonderful network of women in chambers, always willing to lend an ear or words of support, that I’ve felt incredibly grateful to have!

The clerking team at 39 are also, frankly, stellar. The clerks are adept at responding to and facilitating the particular working practices of every barrister, and are a vital line of support in times of crisis. I have always felt supported to expand my practice in areas of law of interest to me. The clerks go to incredible lengths to support, market, and grow the practices of juniors in chambers.

We’re fortunate to be located in a modern building with excellent facilities right in the centre of Chancery Lane (above a lovely Press Coffee). This includes showers, lockers, towel service, and a pool table. 39 also has a fantastic IT team that assist with the tech and data-security parts of practice that you might not think about. It’s been incredibly valuable to have their expertise to draw upon during my time at 39!

Top tips for those wanting to become a barrister/secure a pupillage at your chambers

1. Proper research into a chambers, and demonstrating that knowledge, is often the difference between a successful and unsuccessful application. Chambers websites are often not the best indicator of what the ‘bread and butter’ of chambers is. If you look at the profiles of juniors, you can often get a better indication. It is helpful to identify a case you found interesting that a member of chambers has done, it is even better to speak to why you found it interesting and how it aligns with what you want in a future practice.

2. Don’t be discouraged if you do not have a litany of legal work experiences to point to. In my experience, I was asked more questions in interview about my time working as a waitress than I was about any mini-pupillage, moot or mock-trial that I completed in my past. Real life experiences, outside of the law, should not be undervalued and can often be better and clearer examples of resilience and good-judgement.

3. Finally, in my experience, one of the biggest challenges people confront when applying to the Bar is dealing with the overwhelming flurry of often-conflicting advice that you will find both online and hear in-person. For the sake of stating the obvious, there is no “right” or “best” way of approaching mini-pupillages, applications, or interviews — you have to find the approach that works best for you. At the same time, the guidance of friends, family members, and mentors can be invaluable. I’ve found that you can mitigate a lot of the anxiety the pupillage process causes by identifying a closed network of people whose judgment and guidance you trust. If you can stick to them (and listen to their advice!) you can improve your approach while avoiding a lot of the agonizing that the pupillage application period can cause!