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I secured pupillage and tenancy in a mixed common law set, which allowed me to gain experience in a variety of areas, namely family, immigration, Court of Protection and public inquiries. In my early years of practice, I became increasingly drawn to children law and Court of Protection work, so it was a natural next step to look to join a specialist family law set.
My advice to anyone scoping out new chambers is to consider the opponents you have been against in court. Do they impress you? Do they have the skills and expertise that you would want to learn, as well as associate with, by virtue of being in the same set? What are they like out of court? For me, it is important to belong to a set where the environment is truly collegiate, friendly and supportive. I gauged this from pre-hearing discussions at court with opponents and attending events where I would speak to members. I also had informal conversations with barristers from chambers of interest. From this research I felt 4PB would be a good fit for me.
Another motivation was to have a greater opportunity to be instructed on complex cases in emerging areas and on issues of public importance. I have already been led on such cases, and am expanding my network of instructing solicitors, thereby elevating my practice further.
Another priority was to move to a set that would support me in building a practice focused on my interests. My experience working in other areas has been hugely helpful in family and Court of Protection cases which overlap. I have particular specialisms in honour-based abuse, namely female genital mutilation and forced marriage, as well as working with deaf clients and I am in the process of undertaking BSL qualifications. The clerking team have indeed diligently kept these in mind when allocating work and used their network to further my work in these areas, and more widely.
Moving chambers can feel daunting. However, it need not be. As with any move, do as much due diligence as possible, both formal and informal, to understand which chambers will be the best fit for you – and you for them. Moving chambers is an opportunity to grow your practice further, learning from and working with new colleagues in an environment which suits you and your priorities.
I secured pupillage and tenancy in a mixed common law set, which allowed me to gain experience in a variety of areas, namely family, immigration, Court of Protection and public inquiries. In my early years of practice, I became increasingly drawn to children law and Court of Protection work, so it was a natural next step to look to join a specialist family law set.
My advice to anyone scoping out new chambers is to consider the opponents you have been against in court. Do they impress you? Do they have the skills and expertise that you would want to learn, as well as associate with, by virtue of being in the same set? What are they like out of court? For me, it is important to belong to a set where the environment is truly collegiate, friendly and supportive. I gauged this from pre-hearing discussions at court with opponents and attending events where I would speak to members. I also had informal conversations with barristers from chambers of interest. From this research I felt 4PB would be a good fit for me.
Another motivation was to have a greater opportunity to be instructed on complex cases in emerging areas and on issues of public importance. I have already been led on such cases, and am expanding my network of instructing solicitors, thereby elevating my practice further.
Another priority was to move to a set that would support me in building a practice focused on my interests. My experience working in other areas has been hugely helpful in family and Court of Protection cases which overlap. I have particular specialisms in honour-based abuse, namely female genital mutilation and forced marriage, as well as working with deaf clients and I am in the process of undertaking BSL qualifications. The clerking team have indeed diligently kept these in mind when allocating work and used their network to further my work in these areas, and more widely.
Moving chambers can feel daunting. However, it need not be. As with any move, do as much due diligence as possible, both formal and informal, to understand which chambers will be the best fit for you – and you for them. Moving chambers is an opportunity to grow your practice further, learning from and working with new colleagues in an environment which suits you and your priorities.
The Bar Council is ready to support a turn to the efficiencies that will make a difference
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the latest ONS data on drug misuse and its implications for toxicology testing in family law cases
An interview with Rob Wagg, CEO of New Park Court Chambers
What meaningful steps can you take in 2026 to advance your legal career? asks Thomas Cowan of St Pauls Chambers
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, explains why drugs may appear in test results, despite the donor denying use of them
Ever wondered what a pupillage is like at the CPS? This Q and A provides an insight into the training, experience and next steps
The appointments of 96 new King’s Counsel (also known as silk) are announced today
Ready for the new way to do tax returns? David Southern KC continues his series explaining the impact on barristers. In part 2, a worked example shows the specific practicalities of adapting to the new system
Resolution of the criminal justice crisis does not lie in reheating old ideas that have been roundly rejected before, say Ed Vickers KC, Faras Baloch and Katie Bacon
With pupillage application season under way, Laura Wright reflects on her route to ‘tech barrister’ and offers advice for those aiming at a career at the Bar
