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• Erskine

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  A small set with unrivalled expertise in company law, the set at Erskine Chambers has been practising in from Lincoln’s Inn Fields for over forty years now. Much of its work is in company law, assisting corporate transactions that are carried out in domestic and overseas jurisdictions.
  
  Clients include well-known companies all over the world and the set is always to be found in the forefront of key cases and disputes around the world, very often appearing on both the claimant and defendant sides.

  The chamber enjoys a no-nonsense, practical and straightforward work culture; the emphasis is on the work to be completed without distractions, on time and with quality and accuracy. A similar ethos is to be found in its pupillage programme, where pupils spend their time learning the basics in thorough detail and experiencing a busy company law barrister’s life for nearly 10 months.
  
  The work is paper-rich, deskbound and extremely complex. For those looking to hone their advocacy skills as soon as possible, there won’t be many opportunities early on. However, if you are offered tenancy there will be more than enough chances to get on your feet at court.
  
  However, it is not all stiff-necked and ramrod-straight at Erskine, teamwork and cooperation counts for a lot and pupils will get a chance to interact and work with as many members of the chamber as possible. This is the set you should apply to if you are serious about a career as a serious commercial barrister. No-frills or fancy behaviour, just good, old-fashioned labour rules the day at Erskine.

  Erskine Chambers’ core areas of practice are in company law, corporate finance, insolvency law and commercial litigation. Other focus areas include accountancy law, financial services and regulatory compliance.
  
  Clients include companies, investment banks, financial institutions, professional trustees, etc. The chamber is considered as one of the best set in company law. The range of work undertaken in this field includes litigation, advisory matters and preparation of company law documentation.

  Candidates should have obtained a first class or upper second class degree in their undergraduate year and should have some knowledge or experience of company law. Those interested in pursuing a mini-pupillage at Erskine should have prior practical experience of corporate transactions or should have studied company law.
  
  The chambers’ preference is for candidates who are interested and committed to a career at the Bar, proficient in verbal and written communication and have excellent negotiation skills. You must also be very creative, possess a sound knowledge of current commercial and legal trends and have confidence by the bucket loads.

  Pupils are assigned to work with four different pupil supervisors for a period of three months each. During each term, pupils will shadow all work done by their supervisors, carry out research, prepare documentation, visit hearings and attend client conferences.
  
  A first round of appraisal is conducted after three months on board; this is an informal discussion on the initial work done and expectations for the rest of the year. After the basics are drilled in, pupils also undertake chamber-based work for other tenants. There is no direct advocacy experience involved other than attending court proceedings with other members and supervisors.
  
  The pupillage year is solely devoted to polishing up a pupil’s range in drafting, research and client management skills. A formal appraisal is conducted at the end of the first six where future prospects for tenancy will be discussed. Once an offer for tenancy has been accepted, the pupil spends the remaining 2 – 3 months appearing at One Essex Court, handling some very small claims.
  
  On completion of the pupillage year, new tenants are seconded out for a couple of three-month stints at law firms where emphasis is placed on understanding and experiencing a solicitor’s viewpoint on company law and corporate transactional work.
  
  The chamber offers mini-pupillages lasting for one week each. These are un-assessed sessions and mini-pupils spend the week learning all about the Bar and work done at Erskine.

  An annual maintenance grant of £ 40,000 is provided during the pupillage year.

  The chamber is not a member of OLPAS and application forms for pupillages can be downloaded from the chambers’ website at http://www.erskine-chambers.co.uk/pupillage. Completed forms should be sent in latest by 30 April by post or email to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
  
  Application forms for mini-pupillages will be by way of a detailed CV, covering letter and at least one academic referee.

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