Deka Chambers celebrates its 1st anniversary

Today, 3rd October, marks a year since Deka Chambers formed, creating one of the biggest common law sets in the country.

Over the past 12 months Deka has proved itself as a leading national and international Set. Formed from formidable common law roots, with 110 barristers including 15 market leading Silks, members act for both claimants and defendants in a broad range of civil, family and criminal matters. Over the year members have continued our rich tradition of being instructed in some of the most high-value and significant cases shaping the law today: appearing in the Supreme Court in cases concerning vicarious liability, assumption of responsibility in tort and secondary victim claims in the context of clinical negligence; and in the Court of Appeal in cases concerning duties owed by social workers, the ability of members of the armed forces to bring claims in the UK when injured abroad and international protection of children. Members have also been instructed in the Manchester Arena Inquiry that concluded this year and the subsequent civil claims, in claims arising out of the Grenfell Tower fire and the Undercover Policing Inquiry. High profile criminal instructions include the conviction of David Carrick and the Court of Appeal sentencing appeal concerning Just Stop Oil protestors.

Deka is proud to boast some of the leading talent at the Bar at all levels of seniority and, following a successful first year, we continue to grow. We are delighted that Thomas Clarke has accepted an offer of tenancy with us following completion of his pupillage and we have welcomed two new pupils this week. In addition, over the year we have been joined by two new members, celebrated a further Silk appointment and expanded our clerking team to ensure we continue to meet our clients’ requirements in the most efficient manner.

Indeed, client service and teamwork are the cornerstone of all that we do and we are thrilled that this has been recognised by the wider legal market. Deka is shortlisted for Client Service Set of the Year at the upcoming Chambers UK Bar Awards, and for Clerking Team of the Year at this evening’s Legal 500 Bar Awards, one of five awards for which we are shortlisted. These are in addition to nominations for various other upcoming awards for our family, civil and crime members and teams.

Building on the ethos of its legacy Sets, Deka launched as a modern and forward thinking Set with inclusivity at its core, nurturing and promoting equal opportunities for all. Members work hard to help develop talent and offer opportunities to those aspiring to a career at the Bar. We are proud to participate in numerous schemes including the 10,000 Black Interns programme, Bridging the Bar and the Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar mini pupillage programme, amongst others. Individual members of Chambers give their time to support many mentoring and social mobility schemes and our members and staff have cycled, walked, baked, quizzed and jumped out of aeroplanes, all to raise funds for worthy causes.

As Joint Heads of Chambers Jacob Levy KC and Simon Readhead KC agree, “It has been an extremely busy first year, but 12 months on we believe that Deka Chambers has truly cemented itself as a leading name at the Bar with a strong and exciting future ahead.”