The Legal Cheek View
For those with an interest in complex corporate and commercial issues, all with a hefty international flair, look no further than Erskine Chambers. An expert in all things offshore, barristers at the set are well versed across a range of jurisdictions including the Channel Islands, Gibraltar, Cayman, BVI, Bermuda, Turks & Caicos, St Vincent and the Grenadine, Hong Kong and Singapore.
The set takes on some of the top commercial instructions both across these tropical destinations and at home. As one tenant enthused, “the benefits of specialising, and having such a strong reputation for the work we do, are great — the quality of the work is high, and there is an ample supply of it”. With particular expertise in company, restructuring and insolvency issues, members are exposed to, “company law work at its most complex and cutting edge”. This is backed up by a top tier arbitration practice, with tenants both sitting as arbitrators and representing parties. What’s more, a number of the set’s members sit as judges in various global courts, including one junior (and former Magic Circle partner), sitting as a judge in the Grand Court in Cayman. Hardly surprising when the former members include Lady Arden!
This dynamic global practice is supported by an excellent clerking and practice management team, which includes individual quarterly meetings between junior members and the senior clerk. Operating from Erskine’s prime central London location in Inner Temple, the practice enjoys an “architecturally charming” setting with “light, airy, and high-ceilinged rooms” which overlook beautifully landscaped gardens. It is, as one rookie put it, “a really lovely place to be”. Erskine is also just a short walk from many of the City firms and financial institutions it deals with. Even better, it’s only minutes away from the renowned Pegasus restaurant and bar where barristers can let their (horse)hair down. To top it all off, each member is provided with their own office.
You won’t often need to venture out of chambers for refreshments, as the set hosts a daily chambers tea, open to all members from day one. For grander occasions, however, nothing tops the venues at Inner Temple. Recently, the set held its summer celebration for members and clients in the prestigious Inn, making for an unforgettable event.
We’re told the social life is “excellent” with “regular drinks after work” and even an annual ski trip “which is both well-attended and draws people from every level of seniority”. Members reported “great collegiate atmosphere,” one going so far as to claim, “I would happily spend time with any of them”. This goes hand in hand with “a generally good work life balance,” we heard. In those cases where barristers’ work takes over their life entirely, “that tends to be by choice”.
For those sold on the intellectual challenge, glamorous destinations, or who aren’t keen on sharing and would like their own room to work from, pupillage applications can be made to the set through Pupillage Gateway. Candidates with both law and non-law degrees are welcomed, with no knowledge of company or insolvency law required. It is noted, however, that those who have had the opportunity to study the subjects are generally expected to have done so.
While a mini-pupillage at Erskine is not required for pupillage applicants, enthusiastic aspiring barristers are encouraged to apply for one to gain first-hand experience of the work and culture at the set. Successful pupillage candidates may also be invited to complete a short, non-assessed mini-pupillage to further familiarise themselves with the set.
As for the application process, after the initial paper sift, Erskine invites 10 to 14 candidates for a first-round interview, with about half advancing to the second round. The interview topics are carefully chosen to ensure a level playing field, regardless of each candidate’s legal background, focusing on questions that assess analytical skills and reasoning. Reasonable travel expenses are covered by the set.
For the lucky two who are offered a pupillage there is no need to compete in chambers, with the set ensuring there are enough tenancy spots on offer for all pupils. With a healthy pupillage award of £80,000, rookies can also look forward to a rent and expense-free first year or practice, and no chambers’ expenses are due in that year until receipts exceed £100,000.
As one member explained, “the aim is to make specialist company and insolvency barristers of our pupils.” To this end, recruits will spend the first three to six months after completing pupillage in the corporate department of a top City firm before beginning tenancy. After this, junior tenants spend a roughly equal amount of time on their own work, and being led by more senior members of chambers. When taking cases in their own right juniors will tackle small-scale litigation work, including contentious insolvency, business, commercial and minority shareholder disputes and Companies Court applications, along with advisory work for smaller firms. We’re told that “there continues to be an open-door policy to assist with things they are unsure about, and a pupil supervisor can be relied on as a sounding board for many years.” Along with helping juniors to build their skills up, working in their own right allows Erskine recruits to begin building relationships with solicitors and clients.