No5 Chambers

As well as the work on offer at No5 being broad in range, it is also high in quality. One tenant tells us: “it’s intellectually stimulating and varied. I work on legally complex cases on a weekly basis”. There are opportunities to work on bigger, newsworthy cases (often as a junior to a KC), as well as to take on your own smaller matters, whether landlord-tenant disputes or personal injury claims following a minor road traffic accident.

One junior offered this insight into their experience so far: “During the first six of my specialist pupillage in personal injury & clinical negligence, I got exposure to a wide array of cases relating to various medical areas (gynaecology, birth injuries, spinal cord injuries, cancer, dental injuries, amputation cases, gastrointestinal cases etc) and types of personal injuries (fatal accidents, road traffic accidents, occupiers’ liability, and employer’s liability). I also got to shadow members at various hearings, including multi and fast-track trials, small claims trials, inquests, approval hearings, CCMCs… I have gained experience by completing work in respect of each case that I was exposed to. Everything felt highly stimulating from the get-go.”

Over the past year, tenants at No5 have been working on some exciting cases. Whether it’s Colin Banham persuading an employment tribunal to order the reinstatement of a Royal Mail employee, or Michael Duck KC successful in reaching criminal convictions for defendants accused of making “assassination kits”, it’s all interesting stuff. Other areas of recent interest include the overplanting of solar farms, Philip Rule KC acting in the Chagos Islands deal challenge, and Philip Dayle continuing to represent victims of the infected blood inquiry. The unlawful use of x-ray body scanners, predatory actors, and green belt farms also make the list — could you have a more diverse range of cases to work on?

And it’s not just the seniors who work on interesting matters. One baby junior at the set reveals: “as a very junior tenant, the work is fascinating right out of pupillage. I’m handling cases as sole counsel that peers at other chambers won’t do until 5+ years of tenancy”. Of course, it can’t always be headline-grabbing stuff: “some stuff is “same old same old”; some is very interesting”, one No5 tenant confides.

When it comes to work-life balance at No5, views are somewhat mixed, but this is standard at the bar. Whilst some tenants burn the midnight oil, others prefer to have more downtime, but all generally recognise that the choice is their own: “work-life balance is very much a choice at No5 in my experience”, said one, “many juniors choose to prioritise this balance, some even work the typical 9-5 hours. However, in my pupillage, I have found myself working late hours slightly more often than I would have chosen.” That being said, this junior went on to tell us that they were “nowhere near as overworked as my friends were at others chambers during their pupillage” and we hear the set promotes a supportive environment with “flexible paternity/maternity leave policies, as well as chambers-wide schemes to ensure people can balance their home life with their intended practice”.

Tenants at No5 also generally praise their “highly supportive and caring colleagues”. One junior at the set gushes: “the colleagues are the best part about the job. We go for regular Friday drinks and are genuinely very good friends outside of work. In the job, everyone is immensely supportive and more than happy to answer the phone to deal with any queries you might have. There are numerous group chats set up for the juniors to discuss any pressing issues and stay in contact generally”. It sounds like a splendid community. Other tenants claim they “discovered what support looks like” after moving to No5 from another chambers, whilst one simply states: “we are family”.

Unfortunately, all this support hasn’t quite translated into a booming social scene, with many tenants working from home full-time or simply too busy. That being said, insiders do report on several socials at various bars and restaurants, office drinks every Thursday, and football-minded peers watching the Euros together. We’re told the most fun is to be had in Birmingham, with recent highlights there including “turning chambers into a casino, a mini-golf course, and a huge inflatable igloo”.

Another bonus for No5’s midland residents is the premises. One tells us: “the Birmingham mothership is a huge building and it’s easy to get lost! Members have traditional rooms and can choose to share as they wish. It’s sometimes easy to forget you’re in the West Midlands and not a traditional building in Temple”. The new space at 103 Colmore Row is said to be “even larger, more modern and sleek than London” which is no mean feat when you consider chambers’ Savoy-adjacent digs in London have just been refurbed. It is said to be “sleek, modern, and in a great location”. However, for those who prefer the more traditional setting of the Inns of Court, “it may not tick those boxes”. The tech and IT on offer suffers no such mixed reviews, with tenants across the board cheerily noting you “can always get help” from the “all new and excellent support team”.

No5 Barristers’ Chambers takes on six to eight pupils per year across its locations and different practice groups. An award of £30,000 is made during the first six months of pupillage with a guarantee of at least £30,000 during your second six. Pupils can expect to sit with one supervisor for the entirety of their pupillage — something which is very unusual. During the first six, pupils will assist with tasks such as drafting opinions, whilst the second six will see pupils get on their feet, taking on their own cases. Throughout the 12 months training, pupils are “carefully monitored” to ensure progress, with supervisors preparing reports which provide feedback. Advocacy sessions and exercises are conducted throughout the year to help pupils gear up for the practising second six which involves “varied and challenging” work, often in county courts around the country.

“The training is very specialised. While some people might miss the variety, it gives you the chance to spend 12 months focussed on your own specific area”, one former pupil tells us. Other tenants also speak highly of the training that they received during pupillage, especially the pastoral support. “Not only was the technical side of pupillage taken care of but they also created an environment for pupils to do well and thrive”, one tells us, adding: “I genuinely felt that everyone was rooting for me to succeed”. Support is on hand from junior members who act as mentors to pupils, and the set says all its heads and deputy heads of group and pupillage are fully trained as senior counsellors, showing that pastoral support and wellbeing is a top priority for the set.

Those wishing to apply for pupillage at No5 should make their application through the set’s own application form. Prospective applicants should be ready to demonstrate intellectual ability, experience of law in practice, public speaking experience, written presentation ability, commitment/motivation, and interpersonal skills. The set will invite the highest-scoring candidates on the application form to a first-round interview, which focuses on the content of the application form. Those who impress will be invited to an advocacy exercise, followed by a one-day mini-pupillage before coming back for a second-round interview. This interview is more extensive and includes a legal problem.

The pupillage experience

I applied to No5 Barristers’ Chambers for pupillage for the following reasons: first, it offered a specialist pupillage in Immigration Law at the time; second, its record of success with homegrown pupils becoming established practitioners; third, its friendly and welcoming environment, which I had experienced through meeting individual Members of Chambers; and it was also evidenced by the fact that pupils were assigned a mentor during the pupillage year; and finally, the second six was a practising period for pupils.

My experience of pupillage at No5 Barristers’ Chambers was both demanding and rewarding. Although I had initially applied for an Immigration Law specialist pupillage, in practice, I was offered the opportunity to develop also a Public Law practice as a reflection of my interests. I was also exposed to Court of Protection work, as this was one of my Pupil Supervisor’s main areas of practice. During the non-practising first six, I conducted legal research and drafting, attended client conferences, round table and legal team meetings, and court hearings from the First-tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. I also had the opportunity to shadow other Members of Chambers, including juniors before beginning my second six. Every three months, a review was produced of my performance and a meeting arranged with the Pupillage Committee to discuss it and set objectives for the next quarter. There was also an advocacy exercise set by the Pupillage Committee to transition into second six. I was assigned a mentor and invited to attend conferences and networking events throughout the pupillage year. I was also fully supported to undertake pro bono work.

The transition from pupil to tenant

The transition from a practising second six to tenant was seamless. I had opportunities to continue to grow my practice and be led in high profile cases. The client contacts that I developed during pupillage led to a full diary with regular instructions. I am also on a rota for pro bono advice and representation for an independent charity. Support remained available to me as and when required from other Members of Chambers and the clerks.

What is your practice like now?

I have a busy Immigration and Public law practice. I typically have two to three hearings a week in addition to undertaking drafting and advisory work. My practice involves cases where I am instructed as sole Counsel and others where I am led by more senior Members of Chambers. I undertake pro bono, legally aided, and private work. As part of my led work, I have appeared before the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, and I am due to appear in the Court of Appeal soon. I have also had opportunities to delve into other areas of law such as employment, family and business and property. As a self-employed junior barrister, my work hours are determined by the demands of my caseload. It is inevitable that in addition to the full working week, some extra work is required over the weekends; although I aspire for this to be the exception. Whilst I acknowledge that my work life balance is not perfect, it has definitely improved since the beginning of my tenancy.

What is the culture of chambers?

The reality post Covid-19 pandemic is that barristers are no longer required to attend Chambers on a daily basis. As a result, the main method of contact for colleagues is through telephone calls, text messages, emails, and arranging to meet either for a group, junior or client social. Notwithstanding this, given that No5 Barristers’ Chambers is one of the largest sets in the country, if one decides to work from Chambers at the last minute, in addition to the clerks, it is likely that other colleagues will be in Chambers, although they may be from a different practice group. In my experience, the clerks at No5 Barristers’ Chambers are professional, approachable and supportive at the junior end. They have opened and continue to open doors for me to secure opportunities with prospective clients and are responsive to needs or changes.

No5 Barristers’ Chambers has three offices in London, Birmingham and Bristol. Although my main office is based at home, I have worked from both the London (located at Savoy Court near the Strand) and Birmingham (located in 103 Colmore Row) offices, which are central and modern. In addition to the usual amenities, they have spacious and bright conference rooms, fully equipped with everything necessary to work effectively. Notably, the Birmingham office has a dedicated library with friendly librarians who are always willing to assist; and private pods with a large screen equipped with cables and ports to connect any device.

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

My top tips for those wanting to secure a pupillage at No5 Barristers’ Chambers are three-fold. First, the candidate should develop strong written and oral advocacy skills. This can be through academic (e.g. mooting, debating, writing articles) and work experience. It is important for the candidate to be able to think critically and have the ability to articulate their views in a structured, eloquent and effective manner; understanding the strength of each argument and identifying the potential counterarguments that can be made.

Second, the candidate should understand the nature, demands and commitment of a career at the Bar and be able to evidence it. This can be done through mini pupillages but also vacation schemes and paralegal work at solicitors’ firms; and if possible, in the areas of intended practice.

Third, the candidate should research and identify the reasons why pupillage (and tenancy) at No5 Barristers’ Chambers is for them. Undertaking a mini-pupillage or attending the Pupillage Open Evening are great opportunities to meet junior and senior members of Chambers, and learn about the ethos and inner workings of the set in an informal context. A Pupillage Open Evening is an event organised for aspiring barristers to meet Members of Chambers and clerks from the different practice groups and learn about the pupillage process and a career at the Bar.