7KBW

Recent eye-catching cases have included one of the largest and most significant disputes in the Commercial Court to date, which ran for 12 weeks until early 2025, namely a series of multi-billion-dollar claims, in multiple jurisdictions, for the loss of aircraft stranded in Russia (and elsewhere) following the invasion of Ukraine and the imposition of sanctions by the UK, EU, and USA. A further mammoth hearing in late 2026 will determine further related claims. Other recent and ongoing major litigation involving members includes group actions relating to car emissions and a nearly £1.5 billion alleged tax fraud claim brought by the Danish tax authority.

The subject matter is clearly very varied. One junior tells us: “I learn so much about the world! Everything from food to helicopters to pipelines to animals to rugby players…!” Another adds: “Commercial work is not all dry contracts (which are also interesting if you enjoy picking apart language and puzzles). Often the dispute revolves around a dispute about what happened and that can involve expert evidence on anything from, by way of example, how Putin governs in Russia, to the quantity of gas/oil that is likely to be produced by a field”.

The past year or so has seen members of 7KBW involved in high-impact commercial disputes across all sectors. Russian-related work arising from the Ukraine conflict (in addition to the multi-billion dollar aviation claims) includes multiple sanctions cases and an energy dispute over the alleged sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines. The set has also made a strong showing in commercial appeals, including before the Supreme Court, with significant cases involving issues of contract law, agency, freezing orders and sovereign debt, amongst other matters.

It’s not just the seniors acting on the exciting cases either. Juniors tell us their work is “extremely intellectually challenging and enjoyable”. They tend to divide their time between advising and representing clients in court or arbitration in smaller cases and being led by silks in more complex or high-value matters. While the pupillage is non-practising until after the tenancy decisions are taken, there is opportunity for pupils to see and work behind the scenes on big cases. According to one pupil, “it can be the red meat of heavy arbitration one day and the rarefied manna of an appeal to the Supreme Court the next”.

Despite their busy schedules, “there is always a friendly ear if someone has a problem”. There is a strong collegiate sense at the set, with one tenant explaining: “I can’t fault the support from colleagues in chambers. One of the real positives about working here is that we all genuinely get on, and everyone is always willing to help.” Another junior adds: “Being smaller than most of our competitors helps maintain a supportive environment.” There is a mentoring scheme for new tenants as well as for those returning from parental leave.

Inevitably, life at the bar doesn’t always lend itself to a perfect work/life balance. As one junior notes, “there are good policies in place, but it’s a very hard-working set!”. Overall, however, tenants at 7KBW generally seem happy with their lot. One member explains: “The nature of commercial law is that there will be crunch points in the run up to a trial where work-life does not feel particularly balanced. But members are encouraged to take time off in between big cases. Lots of more senior members of chambers set a good example in this regard. Also, the support is there if someone is struggling in a busy period.” We are also told “the clerks are very supportive of members and do not force members to take on work”. Another tenant, with three small children, says they usually need to have weekends free and “this is not a problem” for the set. One junior summarises: “You can be as busy as you want to be — really.”

When members do have some down time, they may be found at the regular chambers’ tea, Friday drinks, or monthly lunches. Respondents speak of a noticeable uptick in the social life at 7KBW, with one going as far as to say it’s been “revolutionised”! We’re told the social committee sets up events throughout the year and there are also chambers-wide parties for important occasions including summer and Christmas parties.

When it comes to the setting, 7KBW is “very impressive” externally. Situated in the heart of Temple and next to Inner Temple Gardens, there are beautiful views. Inside, the set has benefited from a major refurbishment of the client-facing spaces in 2026, which has not only enhanced the beauty of the spaces but also ensured that everything from lighting to air conditioning to audio visual facilities are more 21st than 17th century. Work has also been done to ensure the building is more accessible.

“There aren’t many jobs in which you get to work in a Christopher Wren house in central London, and we are lucky that this is one of them. Obviously old buildings come with their foibles — it doesn’t have all the convenience of a purpose-built modern office — but the character is quite something and I wouldn’t want to give it up.”

If that doesn’t sell you, take it from this junior: “I think we compensate for the old building by having the highest quality IT and tech support.”

If you’re sold on 7KBW and considering applying, you will find yourself competing for one of up to three pupillage spots per year. There is a generous award of £90,000 on offer. Aspiring pupils should make their application through the Pupillage Gateway. Candidates will be assessed on their intellectual ability, analytical ability, written and oral advocacy, temperament and interpersonal skills, and commitment to the Commercial Bar and 7KBW. Those scoring highest on the paper application will proceed to first-round interviews (which are conducted by video), with the top-ranked candidates then being invited to a final interview held in Chambers.

7KBW emphasises that it particularly welcomes applications from those under-represented at the Commercial Bar and 7KBW itself. Among a variety of initiatives aimed at promoting equality and diversity, Chambers participates in the 10,000 Black Interns Project, the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (PASS), and Bridging the Bar’s mini pupillage programme, all of which are designed to expand opportunities for students from under-represented groups to experience life in Chambers. It is also a supporter of The 93% Club, the UK’s largest network of state-educated university students, as well as other initiatives aimed at encouraging equality of opportunity regardless of background.

Those successful in their pupillage applications will sit with four supervisors during the course of their pupillage and will assist in preparing for trials and applications, and attend court, conferences and arbitrations. As well as their supervisors, pupils will complete work for other members of chambers, allowing them to see as great a range as possible. Pupils also undertake a number of advocacy exercises, assisting them to hone their skills as advocates. The pupillage is non-practising until after tenancy decisions are made, allowing pupils to focus on learning. The training is highly rated: one tenant says it is “unbelievably tough, but by the end you’ll be able to conquer any commercial problem”.

Secondly, several BCL students alongside me were applying for pupillage and their example helped make it seem achievable: if they could do it, so could I.

I made my pupillage applications the following year, while I was a Judicial Assistant at the Court of Appeal. That role exposed me to varied commercial appellate work, allowed me to pick up advocacy tips and involved writing bench memoranda—excellent preparation for written advice during pupillage. I applied to ten commercial and commercial chancery sets and, after an intense round of interviews in spring 2020, chose 7KBW. The process was made stranger by the sudden move online during Covid.

The pupillage experience

Pupillage is challenging: its purpose is to test your skills and stretch your abilities so that you become a better barrister. At times it felt relentless, as pupillage can at any set.

At 7KBW, however, the emphasis is on training rather than testing. You are not expected to perform like a fully fledged barrister from day one, but to improve throughout the year. Pupils encounter varied work across Chambers’ practice areas, usually through their supervisor’s live cases, and receive feedback on every piece of work. This means you know what to improve and have time to do so. My supervisors also ensured that I worked across a broad range of practice areas and practised varied skills, including drafting, advice and advocacy. By the end, I felt that I had a strong foundation of knowledge and could apply it effectively as a tenant.

The assessments are undoubtedly the most gruelling part, but their timing and structure are carefully considered so that pupils can perform at their best. Three advocacy and five written assessments take place in the second half of the year, and pupils are marked independently rather than against one another. This kept pressure lower and camaraderie high; a celebratory drink at the end of assessment weeks certainly helped. Sensible working hours applied even during those weeks: I generally left between 6 and 7pm and had enough time to complete my work without feeling rushed. The advocacy assessments were especially valuable because they offered the only real opportunity to practise and hone those skills. Pupils are expected to learn from the first assessment and apply its feedback; perfection is not expected.

A supportive network within Chambers also made pupillage enjoyable. People regularly checked in and members of all seniorities had an open-door policy, answering any questions I had. Two members responsible for pastoral care, neither involved in tenancy decisions, monitored how we were doing and organised drinks and other informal events. Chambers’ social committee arranged weekly lunches, a breakfast and drinks event each term, and other activities. There were therefore plenty of opportunities to relax and get to know members during the year.

The transition from pupil to tenant

Tenancy offers are made towards the end of the third seat, so pupils can begin taking on their own matters during the fourth.

I was instructed quickly as junior counsel on several large commercial matters, which occupied much of my first few years of practice. Two were cases I had worked on during pupillage. Continuing with familiar teams and leaders made the transition much easier and put me at ease.

I also took on smaller matters as sole counsel in my fourth seat, gaining advocacy experience and confidence in making strategic decisions. Members of Chambers, including my supervisor, were always willing to answer questions and remained invaluable sounding boards during those early months.

We were encouraged to take a break between pupillage and tenancy. Even one or two weeks helped me unwind and return in September recharged and ready to begin practice.

What is your practice like now?

At the time of writing, I am approaching the end of my fourth year of practice. I work as sole counsel and as a junior across a range of commercial areas, with a particular focus on insurance disputes. In 2025, I acted for the successful insurers in the multi-billion-pound Russian Aircraft litigation and for the successful claimants in the Court of Appeal in the “WIN WIN” marine-insurance dispute. I also completed a six-month secondment with Kennedys’ insurance team, working across professional indemnity, D&O, crime, political risk, marine, property and trade-credit matters, including the Australian Greensill litigation.

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

Preparation is key. Most applicants have similar academic records, and many have work or other experience relevant to the Commercial Bar, so careful preparation can distinguish you. The same applies at interview. The 7KBW second-round interview includes an advocacy exercise, with one week to prepare. Use that week as fully as you can to give yourself the best chance on the day.