3PB

All this means 3PB’s barristers can see almost all the justice system should they choose. One junior said: “In the last year I’ve had cases reported in international broadsheet, tabloid and TV news and appeared in a variety of tribunals, including the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Even the County Court work I do is good for keeping skills active” which speaks volumes. 3PB members speak of working against the “best barristers in the country”, which is hardly surprising. Still, another rookie said there “could be more appellate work”. Could this be down to where you specialise as you grow into your tenancy? A member who specialised in education law describes it as “both niche and yet diverse in terms of what I see on a daily basis” whilst a professional regulatory lawyer called their work “very interesting and even as a senior, they find “every case has something different.” In other words, specialising doesn’t mean your briefs will get mundane!

For those worried that such a broad and complex variety of work may be daunting, fear not, we hear the training is top notch. “Training for pupils and junior tenants is excellent” reports one, “there are lots of training opportunities within chambers, and a great deal of effort is put into training”. This is even whilst one insider told us they think the whole pupillage system needs reforming to fit the modern homeworking environment — still, they said, “3PB do it well with real personalised attention on pupils’ needs”. Rookies speak of a “thorough, comprehensive and proactive” approach, with head of pupillage Cheryl Jones being described as “an absolute force of nature”. Rumour has it, “she makes each batch of pupils the best they can possibly be, with the assistance of the whole of chambers”. Strong words from one, clearly very happy, customer. Legal Cheek is told that 3PB has been proactive in training its tenants beyond advocacy — from cyber security to unconscious bias, equality and diversity, sexual harassment awareness, and effective recruitment.

The year-long pupillage programme comes with a healthy minimum reward of £60k, along with an additional £17k worth of bonuses, including healthcare, training, travel expenses, and financial advice. During this training, recruits spend time with four supervisors, take on their own workload, and are given marshalling opportunities and mock advocacy exercises.

It’s not just the training that helps the 3PB intake cruise to success, we’re told that the support available in chambers is difficult to top. Rookies speak of “an excellent collegiate atmosphere”, which is “not competitive”. There are always “multiple highly experienced individuals available to assist on any issue with a variety of means to contact people” — despite the size, as another pointed out. In the words of one practitioner: “Chambers is collegiate. You can genuinely call on anyone for support whether it is a point you are struggling with or the need for a sounding board to air concerns. We also have a welfare and EDO team who can provide support to members on personal matters including physical and mental health difficulties or work related issues. Senior members are approachable and are integrated well into the set. Our CEO is also approachable and there to help and support members. The clerking team is also supportive from junior clerks to practice directors both in relation to practice related and personal matters.” We’re told 3PB also has a “dedicated help hotline” for all aspects of work — so you’re never left behind. Some insiders note areas for improvement, with colleagues “sometimes lacking emotional support” according to one, whilst another mentions “a degree of chambers politics” from time to time. In other words, it really is “like a family of intelligent people”!

What’s more, the balance created within chambers between work and rest doesn’t seem to be hurting the juniors’ jolly moods. “Members work hard and to a high standard, but do not work long hours regularly or for the sake of it and respect members’ down-time including weekends and holidays.” This cheery commenter isn’t alone, others similarly speaking of “clerks and members encouraging balancing work with making sure enough breaks are taken”, as well as “lots of great wellbeing talk and info from members”. We have also heard (shocking!) whispers of juniors not being overloaded to the point of exhaustion, with one crazy comment even suggesting that recruits “have never encountered a problem taking time off work when they need to”. Who would want to work in an environment where their wellbeing is prioritised, and life comes before work? Given the size and reach of the powerhouse set, it’s good to hear from another insider that members can impose geographical boundaries, plus 3PB has been “very understanding and accommodating about doing one court day a week post maternity leave!” This was echoed by another, who told us “I have caring responsibilities, co-parenting three children. I take all school holidays off (13 weeks). I also sit in two part-time judicial roles, totalling 12 weeks a year. The clerks have always been supportive of the way that I choose to structure my availability and looked to support me with it”. One rookie summed it with the sobering realism that “there needs to be a proper understanding that it is very hard work and difficult to succeed as a barrister. Any work life balance has to be seen against that background.” still, they add, “We get it about right.”

There is also a “very good” social life on offer here, with “lots of opportunities to engage with colleagues and the clerking teams around our busy practices.” Insiders say this “this ranges from pizza to prosecco, attending pride events, battle of the bands and non-chambers related catch-ups over lunch or weekends”. There’s also monthly drinks on a Friday and informal gatherings generally every week within practice groups and this year chambers are also hosting an Oktoberfest celebration in London with all proceeds going to the Child Brain Injury Trust. Despite one insider telling us that members “don’t do Friday tea or drinks on a regular basis — chalking that up to Covid and the set’s size — another assures us: “there are regular social events”, especially the “legendary Christmas and summer parties”.

Chambers receives some mixed reviews for its various abodes with Birmingham and Bristol said to have “state of the art facilities” whilst London is “tired but in an excellent location in Inner Temple”. Luckily, renovations are said to be around the corner for the more dated spaces but for now juniors continue to enjoy the “character” of the old style chambers — or, as one member put it, “Standard Temple 1860s.” Many rookies told us that, all across England, chambers’ buildings were “excellent” — inside, and out. The set has also just expanded into Manchester in a brand new office, fit with all the amenities including decking overlooking the city!

Whether in office or at home, rookies praise the IT and tech support on offer. “We have very good outsourced support on tap”, chimes one, with others complementing the support that is “only a call or email away”, and the “dedicated member of staff and full access to online IT support on offer”. Simply put, says one, “I cannot praise our head of operations enough on this”.

The set is also unique as it is one of the few chambers that has published financial results. 2023-2024 saw a turnover of £35.8 million and receipts of £36.1 million, a rise of 17.8% and 14.3% respectively from last year’s results of £30.4 million and £31.6 million. Not a bad time for family law silk Liz McGrath KC to have taken over as the head of chambers.

Those who are looking to join 3PB should keep an eye out on Pupillage Gateway. After the initial paper sift, candidates can then expect to be given two interviews, the first being more general, and the second focusing on an advocacy exercise and prepared brief. In total, applicants will be marked by up to ten members of chambers across the application phase.

The pupillage experience

It’s very clichéd, but I knew I wanted to join 3PB from the moment I encountered the chambers.

Firstly, it is a top set with a great reputation, and that appealed to me — I wanted to be proud of the chambers in which I resided. It also has several centre locations, so I knew that, from a business perspective, it was successful and the work plentiful. Furthermore, it meant that if I wanted to travel further or take advantage of opportunities that were not limited to my locality, they were available.

Secondly, I put myself forward to play a ‘witness’ in a mock court hearing for 3PB’s current pupils at the time. This gave me insight into the fantastic training and resources that 3PB provides for its pupils. Whilst the training appeared demanding, it was clear that 3PB pushes its pupils outside their comfort zone and invests in them, which was what I wanted. It wasn’t simply a tick-box exercise to secure pupillage for me; I wanted to know that I would learn and be supported along the way.

Thirdly, the above insight allowed me to observe firsthand how collegiate and supportive 3PB was. Each barrister I had ever encountered from 3PB appeared to be approachable, down-to-earth and personable, which were important qualities for me. I am pleased to say that this remains true to this day. 3PB is a business, but many of its members are now close friends, and there is not a single person within the 3PB environment that I have met whom I feel unable to call upon.

The transition from pupil to tenant

I found it went well. 3PB has a pupillage process which truly means you feel supported every step of the way. Throughout the transition, it was a pleasant feeling to feel confident that I could approach any member of chambers and receive support or guidance. It is a scary step, with the slight comfort and reassurance of the ‘pupil’ signature being removed; however, I felt ‘ready’, as 3PB’s whole pupillage process ensures that by the time that stage comes, you are ready!

What is your practice like now?

My typical workweek is spent in court, three or four days per week, sometimes more. The remainder is spent drafting legal documents or attendance notes, conducting conferences or preparing for upcoming cases.

Thankfully, I am very busy, which is great, and I feel fortunate because I thoroughly love my job! However, because I love it, I am still learning to strike the correct work-life balance. It is a difficult task to take a step back sometimes, because I genuinely care about those who instruct me, my lay clients, and my reputation — I think the biggest thing is to make sure you mark out prep days in your diary if you require them, albeit sometimes that is harder to do in reality!

My confidence is continuing to grow. Today, I represented a client in the Royal Courts of Justice, which was a fantastic experience. Shortly after I completed my pupillage, I also had the incredible experience of being led by my pupil supervisor in the Court of Appeal on a notable case — the opportunity at 3PB is second to none.

My work is varied, which I thoroughly enjoy, and I have had exposure to a range of complex cases and legal arguments, which I find fascinating. I am very pleased with the direction my career is taking. I don’t have any concrete plans for my long-term future, aside from enjoying my career, continuing to build my reputation, and hopefully going from strength to strength. That being said, I remain eager to learn, never take anything for granted, and I remain wholeheartedly committed to doing my best in each and every case.

What is the culture of chambers?

The culture at 3PB is incredible, and I feel fortunate to have found the right fit for me. There are numerous events, both work-related and social, hosted in, at, or around chambers. I recently organised the Christmas party, which was a huge hit… a lot of fun and dancing was had!

The support staff, well… support and then some. Every single person within 3PB, to the best of my knowledge, is a ‘go-getter’ or a ‘doer’, however you may describe it. I don’t see anyone in different roles; we all sort of prop each other up in our own way and work together as one huge team effort where everyone mucks in to make things happen and to function. Whichever direction you turn, there is always someone willing to gently encourage, provide support and guidance or simply have a conversation with. 3PB is like a seamless cog mechanism, and the rotation continues uninterrupted.

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

Some may disagree with my perspective, but one major thing I consider important is being yourself. It is so easy to lose sight of who you are when you feel like you’ve been a workhorse on a constant high-achieving cycle for several years. If you have a bubbly personality, don’t be scared to show it (within reason)! The intention is that once you have obtained pupillage, you will (hopefully) be at that set for many years to come. Make sure it’s not one where you’re scared to talk like you, act like you, or be like you. I couldn’t think of anything worse than stifling who I am every single day for the sake of my career. Yes, there is a level of professionalism that you require, but please ensure that you remain true to yourself. If you’re ‘too much’ for a set or you don’t speak in the correct way or you didn’t achieve X, Y or Z… well, find a more suited set where you do fit! It is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

The next piece of advice is self-evident: you need to work hard and do so consistently. Look at everything in bite-sized chunks and focus on the next ‘goal’. I believe that before pupillage, you will likely have to sacrifice some of your social life, and there will be moments when you feel like throwing in the towel, but that’s the easy option. Keep going! Remember, you are competing against others who have done it all, or they’re younger, or they have experiences you could never even dream of. You need to think outside the box, come up with a niche idea, and get involved with events or activities you wouldn’t usually participate in. These types of experiences will bolster your application; remember, not all experiences need to be formal or legal. Your experiences should demonstrate that you are a well-rounded individual who can not only navigate the complexities of applying the law to a case’s facts, but also that you can engage in a simple conversation with another human being who is going through a difficult period in their life. Never overlook the importance of that quality.