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• Devereux

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  Devereux Chambers is a specialist set excelling in litigation and dispute resolution services in commercial, employment and personal injury cases. The chamber was established over forty years ago and counts companies, local authorities, government departments, trade unions and private individuals as clients.
  
  Some of the cases the set has worked on are: (a) in commercial – Mopani Copper Mines v Millennium Underwriting Ltd, Bedfordshire Police Authority v David Constable; (b) in employment – Botham v ministry of Defence, Heath v Commissioner of Police for the Metropolis; (c) in personal injury – Sahakian v McDonnell, Flora v Wakom, Cooley v Ramsey; (d) in other areas – Farrow v UK Athletics, Agassi v Robinson and FA of Wales v New Saints FC.

  The chamber has been a fixture in the Bar for over 30 years now, starting off as a crime & PI specialist and then moving into PI and employment. Much of its growth is on account of home-grown talent and a good integration of several specialist groups into an informal and growing niche set.
  
  A rigorous selection and training programme provides barrister wannabes with a strong foothold on the legal ladder. In spite of the tough schedule, the atmosphere is very friendly and the trainees are encouraged to approach members in the chamber, whether senior or junior. They will always assist with guidance and support throughout pupillage.

  Devereux Chambers follows a three-pronged strategy in focussing on core practice areas. The set has built up a considerable standing in the legal market for services in commercial law, employment and personal injuries. It has also gained some traction in other areas such as sport, environment, defamation and tax.
  
  A brief overview of each of the three core areas: (i) commercial – business disputes, insurance, telecommunications, contractual breaches, etc; (ii) employment – collective and individual action, trade disputes, discrimination, wrongful dismissal, etc; (iii) personal injury – employer liability, class action suits, partial and full disability injuries, etc.

  The chambers admits pupils with a high second or first-class degree only, some appreciable history of participation in extracurricular activities and work experience.
  
  You must have confidence, intellectual excellence, enthusiasm, teamwork and people management skills. Good verbal and written communication skills are a must, and candidates must be able to thrive on challenges.

  The Chambers offer two pupillages each year for a period of twelve months divided into two sixes. In the first six, pupils spend three months each with two supervisors, and the second six with one supervisor. Both pupils will work in the same practice areas to ensure parity. Pupils will work on the caseload carried by their supervisor – research, draft documentation, client conferences, court appearances, etc.
  
  They are also required to meet with other members in chambers and assist in their cases, should the matter interest them. Feedback will be provided on every task which the pupil is assigned to; further formal training will be conducted with written assignments in three practice areas and two advocacy assignments before a panel of ‘judges’.
  
  During the second six, pupils will begin working on their own set of cases, involving case management and preliminary hearings or low value trials before the County Court or Employment Tribunal. Ten mini-pupils are taken on in each of the mini-pupillage terms conducted by Devereux and it also hosts a student open day at Easter.

  An annual pupilage award of £35,000 is given to pupils; £10,000 from the total award can be drawn during the BVC course in two instalments. The balance is paid monthly and as guaranteed earnings during the second six.

  Application forms for mini-pupillages are available at the chambers’ website: http://www.devereuxchambers.com/recruitment. Completed forms should be submitted by 7 March for the 15 March – 31 May session; by 31 March for the 1 June – 31 August sessions, by 30 June for the 1 September – 31 December; and by 31 October for the 1 January – 31 March programmes.
  
  Pupillage applications should be made through OLPAS; the forms are accessible at http://www.olpas.co.uk. The top 10 – 15% from among the applications received are called for the first round of interviews; around ten of these are shortlisted to attend the second round of selection.
  
  Case studies are provided to the candidates half an hour prior to the second interview; candidates should review and discuss details with the interview panel.

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