Deka Chambers is recruiting a third six pupil

Deka Chambers is a leading common law (mixed practice) set based in central London. Our pupils and junior tenants appear in court, across a range of jurisdictions, on a daily basis whilst managing paper practices dealing with advisory and drafting work. Deka Chambers was created in October 2022 on the merger of 9 Gough Chambers (formerly 9 Gough Square) and 1 Chancery Lane.

SPECIFICATIONS

We are seeking one third six pupil to assist in meeting an ever-expanding base of work and as an opportunity to develop a common law practice at the Bar with a view to tenancy.

The successful pupil will be someone who:

• has the ability and desire to manage and develop a common law practice;
• has proven skills in advocacy and legal analysis;
• has experience in at least one of our main practice areas (with skills transferrable to the others); and
• can work and deal with a range of people, including clients and clerks, as well as being reliable and capable of working alone.

We are offering a mixed practice third six pupillage. The successful candidate will be expected to undertake work across all of our main areas. Where the pupil lacks experience or knowledge, support will be provided by supervisors and other members of chambers.

RECRUITMENT EXERCISE AND ADJUSTMENTS

We are committed to undertaking an open and fair recruitment exercise. We operate robust equality, diversity and inclusion policies and for many years have been at the forefront of such issues at the Bar. At all stages, including the paper application stage, we are open to making reasonable adjustments for any candidates who may require them. Non-exhaustive examples of adjustments we have previously made have been permitting additional time for preparation in interviews, adapting communication styles and making physical adjustments to the layout of the interviewing room. If you wish to discuss potential adjustments, please contact pupillage@dekachambers.com prior to or during the application process.

DURATION AND FUNDING

Although the title of the post is “third six pupil”, we anticipate that the duration of the pupillage will be around nine months. There will be regular reviews and the Heads of Pupillage will advise as to the appropriate time to apply for tenancy. It is likely that the pupil will take part in our internal pupillage advocacy programme.

The third six pupillage is unfunded, but the pupil will not pay chambers contributions (rent) on earnings received during the pupillage. The pupil can expect a busy practice.

The third six pupil will be supported to comply with regulatory requirements, but the ultimate compliance obligation will be the pupil’s. The pupil must personally hold adequate insurance (at least £1m) through Bar Mutual.

It is hoped that the successful candidate will commence the third six pupillage in the next few weeks. Existing commitments will be taken into account and the precise commencement date will be a matter for agreement between the pupil and the Heads of Pupillage.

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please send a CV and covering letter (explaining your motivations and suitability for the role) to pupillage@dekachambers.com. We ask that you nominate two referees when you apply (who will not be contacted unless and until an offer is contemplated).

The process will take the form of:
(i) a review of the application on paper;
(ii) invitation to a short video interview in the first instance;
(iii) invitation to a longer in-person interview with an advocacy element for selected candidates.

Interviews are likely to take place on weekdays in the afternoons and evenings, with account taken of the commitments and requirements of candidates and interviewers (who are practising barristers).

There is no deadline for applications, but interviews will be held on a rolling basis and an offer may be made at any time.