Deka Chambers

Other headline cases this year show the breadth of work at Deka Chambers, including Matthew Chapman KC acting in the Liverpool fan crush at the Stade de France. In the first tier tribunal on special education needs, Susanna Bennett acted in an alleged discrimination claim brought by a sixth former. Laura Johnson KC and James Byrne secured a multi-million pound settlement for a young woman who suffered scalp and ear injuries when her ponytail became trapped in a factory drill — in a case involving 21(!) expert witnesses.

Meanwhile on the family side, Thomas Jones appeared for the government in a case where a Nigerian adoption was not recognised automatically by the UK, bringing up international family and human rights issues. Though one Deka barrister quipped that “as with all law, it can get a bit repetitive”, the general mood is extremely positive. The broad range of work on offer and the leading lawyers in these diverse fields means the briefs can cover niche or novel issues. “Every case throws up a challenge,” we were told by one rookie, while a colleague added, “there are numerous occasions where unusual legal points need to be raised.”

Given the wide remit on offer, training at Deka puts a lot of emphasis on balancing guidance with opportunity in the pupillage year. Like many common law sets, pupils get on their feet for the second six, offering daily opportunities for advocacy and building client relationships — but perhaps more importantly, exposing rookies to the realities of multispecialist practice. This is especially vital, given that new tenants are expected to continue a common law practice involving crime, family, and civil work for at least three years as a junior. However, given how diverse the cases coming in can be, one insider told us that even then “you can’t experience every different type of case in pupillage”, though added that “there are always members of chambers to ask for guidance” meaning you can pursue areas you want.

During the pupillage year, you will sit with three supervisors, for two months apiece. These rotating “seats” mean pupils will begin with a civil practitioner “who is likely to specialise in personal injury and/or clinical negligence”. The first seat emphasises written work, like advices and legal drafting, plus conferences — meaning a little less court work. Deka says the purpose here is “reviewing and teaching the drafting and advisory skills required to manage a civil practice”.

So far, so good, and in the second and third seats, pupils are assigned supervisors who specialise in criminal and family law. The focus in seats two and three is to prepare pupils for developing the skills to manage a court-heavy practice, “including analysis, preparation, witness handling and (of course!) advocacy” — of the oral sort. Alongside this, pupils work to an internal advocacy programme. This means each month, pupils are led by senior and junior members on recent (but “dead”) cases from the civil, criminal, and family practice areas where they can get feedback on their speaking and arguing.

In the practising second six months, pupils have a touchpoint fourth supervisor who is often a general common law practitioner and will be able to offer advice on the three main areas (civil, family, and crime). During the second six, pupils will also produce written work for their fourth supervisor and—as they had in the first six—will receive written and oral feedback to help them build their skillset and improve as they look towards tenancy.

Speaking of tenancy, during these busy six months pupils have another major task on their shoulders: to prepare an application containing an anonymised portfolio of your work, plus a covering letter to secure that sought after place as a Deka tenant. Applications, we’re told, are to be submitted about one month before the end of pupillage. That’s tough!

At Deka, they say, “tenancy is not automatic” but they zoom in on their good record of recruitment, noting a “programme of teaching and support”. The juniors at Deka we spoke to echoed this, with many praising the internal advocacy training as “first-rate” and “fantastic”. Besides “supportive supervisors” during pupillage, juniors who make tenancy can enjoy a mentoring scheme, plus additional in-house training for established practitioners. This includes “advice from external professionals”, one rookie explained, all aimed at providing members “with the information required to ensure success”.

It probably helps that members describe a “collegiate atmosphere”, with one mole saying they have colleagues “available and approachable either in person or via phone.” Deka is said to operate an open door policy for any other bits of advice or queries. It’s not just the barristers, either — with a clerking team who “support career aspirations”, presumably in more ways than just winning exciting briefs from just about every practice area across the bar. “All the teams within chambers are highly motivated to further their respective areas”, which means pupils and juniors alike can draw on a dynamic and exciting range in their colleagues.

Between their many courtrooms and cases, do Deka members socialise with one another? We were told they do: “Chambers are a friendly bunch” one junior says, “Thirsty Thursdays have proved a success. This is a once a month gathering in chambers where drinks are provided and there is an opportunity for all members to get to know each other in an informal setting.” These “Thirsty Thursdays” were much lauded across the board, being “a monthly event to socialise”. Given Thirsty Thursdays are chambers-wide, they exist on top of the “regular socials” for each of the teams — which presumably means you could end up with quite a busy social calendar if you stick to a broad-branch common law practice! Even then, life at the bar can be overwhelming. One very busy member said that whilst not socialising much themselves at the moment, they “understand that others are having a right-roaring time after work…”

That might make it seem like there is a risk of drowning under the workload, but most members assured us that is not the case — unless you choose it. “The job we do is a demanding one,” one realist confided in Legal Cheek, though they added that “the clerks are alive to the need for members to have sufficient respite. The clerking team are excellent. They have a good understanding that there is life outside of work and assist in managing members work commitments to ensure a healthy work/life balance.” Another insider chimed that “There’s never [a] complaint when you want some time off”. Indeed, one rookie said that given the clerking team’s “friendly” and “supportive” approach “there’s never a problem with speaking to them if the [work-life] balance is getting out of kilter.” For one tenant we spoke to who had “taken advantage of our active clerking [after] having suffered a personal tragedy” that “chambers was highly supportive and my work was fitted in around my circumstances”. That’s a huge positive.

With so many tenants and the need to entertain clients from all across the legal sector, number 5 Norwich Street serves Deka well. Originally the upscaled home for legacy set 9 Gough Square after a move in 2020, 5 Norwich Street offers a much more modern approach to chambers, being more reminiscent of a law firm, with balcony views that stretch out as far as Big Ben, according to one spy. Besides the usual conference rooms, lecture spaces, and “state of the art IT facilities”, the space boasts “A wonderful rooftop” and “a seventh floor terrace with views over the city”. Members highlighted the “inviting hot desk areas” and an “in-house expert who’s always willing to help” on IT issues — which we’re told are “dealt with promptly”. Though one barrister of more traditional stripes confided that “Something older would have been nice,” they still accepted that a set of over 100 lawyers and many staff means “we need a lot of space and it does the job”. And given all the spaces for entertaining, it’s hardly surprising that “Clients always comment on the amazing view!”

For aspiring barristers set on Deka Chambers, the set offers two pupillages with an award of £65,000 each. Half of the package is paid per month, whilst the rest represents guaranteed earnings in the practising second six. There is facility to draw down part of the award pre-pupillage, offered on a discretionary basis. Mitigating circumstances are taken into account.

Before pupillage my legal work experience was definitely more modest than that of some of my peers. I had undertaken a number of mini pupillages, which I found useful to identify the areas of law that were interesting to me, and the sort of chambers that I wanted to be at. I had also carried out work experience for some solicitors’ firms. In addition, I had volunteered for the BPP Family Pro Bono Legal Clinic, which gave me some experience advising clients in writing and courtroom experience as a McKenzie Friend.

I especially benefitted from volunteering for Inner Temple Mooting Society Committee. I began on the committee working to organise some internal moots, and the next year I was President of the Committee. This was a brilliant way of meeting people in the profession and learning more about a life within it, especially as I did not come from a background where I had lawyers in my family.

Please describe your pupillage experience

I had an excellent pupillage experience at Deka Chambers. I chose to undertake pupillage at Deka because it offers a unique opportunity to build a common law practice.

My first six was split working with three supervisors, spending two months shadowing civil law, two months shadowing family law, and two months shadowing crime. Then, in my second six, I practised in all three areas. I had fabulous opportunities, shadowing multiple cases in the High Court and the Court of Appeal, as well as the ability to shadow more junior members of chambers working on the sort of cases that I would be likely doing in my own practice.

During the first six, I was set various pieces of paperwork and given feedback on these. I also benefitted from an internal chambers advocacy course which aimed to develop our skills within a supportive environment. Most of the sessions were unassessed, with the last three sessions being evaluated. It was a great opportunity to receive proper feedback, which is something you rarely get in this job!

How did you find the transition from pupil to tenant?

There is a definite jump between pupillage and tenancy. At Deka Chambers, this comes with the introduction of doing paperwork in your own name. I am very lucky to have the support of paperwork supervisors for the first three years of my tenancy. In terms of court work, I have quickly developed a busy practice. I have enjoyed getting to grips with a diverse range of fields, and to gain in confidence. I am constantly grateful for the support of the chambers hivemind when I encounter something for the first time.

Please describe what your practice is like now

I have a court-based practice and spend nigh on every day in court. Sometimes in the morning, I may handle a family case, before dealing with a crime matter in the afternoon. There is no such thing as a typical working week, one week I may be in a Crown Court trial, and the next I may be jumping between different areas each day. I am also very lucky to be given the opportunity to have junior briefs. I am currently working with one of our civil silks in chambers on a high value occupational stress claim.

Please describe the culture of your chambers

Chambers is an incredibly supportive and friendly environment. On my first day of pupillage, I logged into my work inbox to find multiple emails from barristers across levels of call and disciplines, wishing me good luck and offering support and providing me with their phone number in case I had any questions. I know that I have a list of people in any area and any level of seniority that I can call anytime if I need to.

We also have a fabulous clerking team that is incredibly friendly and skilled at reacting to last minute diary changes, meaning if a trial falls out of my diary, I am never short of work. They are also incredibly receptive if I need them to organise cover on one of my cases to allow me to catch up with my paperwork or simply have a bit of time off.

I cannot understate the importance of choosing a supportive environment. This job is not simple, and nor is it easy for those who do not work in it to understand. Being able to have a chat through a difficult situation that you encountered in Court is invaluable. I am very grateful for the Deka Chambers group WhatsApps and pub trips!

Please detail your top tips for those wanting to become a barrister/secure a pupillage at your chambers

In terms of the application, Deka Chambers is very open about the criteria that we use to mark our applications. We have open evenings, and we also have information published on the website. Doing research prior to beginning writing the applications is essential.

Keep your written application form short and concise. It is an opportunity to demonstrate written advocacy skills, and there is nothing that barristers hate more than reading unnecessary or repetitive information.

In terms of the interviews, I think the main battle is controlling your nerves: once you’ve done that, you can be yourself and excel in the interview. For me, positive thinking was not a mindset that helped me here (it’s just not my personality!). Instead, I did the opposite. I thought to myself that there was no way that I was going to get pupillage on this cycle, and as such I had nothing to lose. I treated my pupillage interviews as practice, which made me pile less pressure on myself allowing me to perform better. Find a method that works for you to control your nerves. You may never control them completely, but anything that helps you minimise them is worth doing!

Finally, just keep going. Completing the pupillage process, alongside whatever else is going on in your life, is incredibly difficult, but it will be worth it.