ESSEX COURT CHAMBERS is widely acclaimed as one of the leading sets of barristers’ chambers in the nation and is presently home to 98 barristers, as well as associate members and arbitrators from no fewer than 12 countries including Australia, Brunei, Canada, Hong Kong, Ireland, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Essex Court Chambers has succeeded in maintaining its tradition of excellence by attracting some of the best advocates at the Bar. Its ranks include 51 King’s Counsel as well as Senior Counsel from a large number of jurisdictions worldwide and at least ten Professors of Law. Chambers was founded in 1961 when the then five members of chambers included the future judges Lord Mustill, Lord Justice Evans and Lord Justice Kerr. Other distinguished alumni include Lords Saville and Steyn, Lord Justice Beatson, Sir Anthony Colman, Mr Justice Eder and Lady Justice Andrews, as well as Dame Rosalyn Higgins (former president of the International Court of Justice), Sir Christopher Greenwood (former British judge on the ICJ) and Lord Thomas, former Lord Chief Justice of England and Wales. Essex Court Chambers is also distinguished by the number of prominent legal figures who have joined after their retirement from public office. These include Lord Millett and Lord Steyn who both joined Chambers on stepping down from their posts of Lord of Appeal in Ordinary; Lord Steyn having started his career in Chambers. Sir Anthony Colman joined Chambers after retiring as a judge of the Commercial Court and more recently Lord Saville on his retirement from the Supreme Court.
Although Essex Court Chambers remains first and foremost a commercial set of barristers’ chambers, members of Essex Court Chambers are also regularly instructed to act as advocates in a wide range of other areas including EU law, human rights law, immigration law, public international law and VAT law.
Essex Court Chambers is always keen to recruit outstanding individuals to add to its ranks and typically offers up to four pupillages each year. The finalists of this year’s ESU-Essex Court Chambers National Mooting Competition will be invited to spend 1 – 2 days as mini-pupils in Chambers. Others (including those who do not participate in the competition) are nevertheless encouraged to apply for mini-pupillage at Essex Court Chambers. Whilst participation in the competition will undoubtedly give each participant an opportunity to hone his or her advocacy skills, a mini-pupillage at Essex Court Chambers will allow you to experience first-hand life as a barrister at one of the “magic circle” sets of barristers’ chambers.
Information about mini-pupillages at Essex Court Chambers and about Chambers generally can be found on essexcourt.com, or obtained from:
Secretary to the Pupillage Committee
Essex Court Chambers
24 Lincoln’s Inn Fields
London WC2A 3EG
T: 020 7813 8000
pupillage@essexcourt.com