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• Henderson

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  Henderson Chambers is a leading set with many achievements in areas of product liability, consumer rights and regulatory proceedings. The set also offers direct public access services and was actually a pioneer in getting involved with the Bar’s Direct Public Access Scheme.
  
  Listed here are some of the recent cases and inquiries undertaken by the set: Clarke v Crown Prosecution Service and Steen v Ikon. Members of Henderson Chambers have been or are involved in group litigation claims which have been brought against, for example, the manufacturers of Norplant, Seroxat, Lariam and Prozac.

  A common law set which has been in practice now for over sixty years, Henderson Chambers embodies an amalgamation of traditional values and work ethos with a modern and innovative approach to legal services, displaying amazing versatility in a constantly changing economic and social scenario.
  
  The same qualities are also exhibited in its approach to training and career development for new tenants. The training programme is a mix of specialist focus in some areas and a more general coverage of legal services in other areas.
  
  A choice is available between concentrating and gaining mastery over a single subject-matter, or else you can also take the opportunity to be a ‘jack of all trades’ at Henderson.

  Henderson Chambers has a multi-sector practice and specializes in a few areas where it has garnered a solid reputation.
  
  The set focuses on the following areas: business, employment, EU, health & safety, public, product liability and property. They also do a lot of work in dispute resolution, technology and disciplinary actions.

  Henderson’s criteria for selection of pupils is based on strong academic achievements right from school to any graduate or post-graduate level education candidates may have taken. An upper second class or first class degree is de rigueur, else candidates must be able to display exceptional achievements in other disciplines or work streams.
  
  Extracurricular activities and outside interests are also given importance. The chamber looks for well-rounded individuals who’ve got a multidimensional personality and are able to bring diverse talents and abilities to their jobs.
  
  It is also crucial that candidates are able to display and express a genuine interest in a career at the Bar, and specifically have the aptitude or ability to cope with the chambers’ practice load. Other qualities which prove helpful are good verbal and written advocacy skills and excellent interpersonal and people management skills.

  The chamber offers between one and three year-long pupillages (usually two) each year. Pupils are allocated to two different pupil masters for a period of six months each. Pupils will work exclusively with their respective supervisors for the first few months in the first six, and during the remaining period and the second six also carry out work for other members of chambers.
  
  Pupils also undertake their own small paid and free representation cases during the second six. The chamber follows the Bar Council’s common law checklist and it is up to the supervisors to ensure that trainees get to cover the full range of practice at Henderson.
  
  A unique feature of Henderson’s pupillage programme is the month-long secondment at Brussels, where pupils get a flavour of EU law and practice; other training sessions include advocacy sessions and written assessments. Feedback on performance is given regularly and filed with other performance reports.
  
  These will be looked at when the tenancy selection committee considers tenancy offers. The chamber also offers mini-pupillages and third six pupillages for those interested in attending such programmes. Mini-pupillages are not assessed and are not compulsory to apply for a pupillage at chambers.
  
  Law students or non-law students undertaking conversion courses such as CPE or PgDL are eligible to apply. Sixteen places are available each year and trainees spend about five days assigned to one barrister in chambers and undertake sample written assessments and a complete understanding of the chambers’ work.

  The minimum income earned by a pupil during the training year will not be less than £42,500 – a maintenance grant of £35,000 and guaranteed minimum earning of £7,500 during the second six.

  Henderson is a participant in the OLPAS recruitment scheme, its intake is done in the summer round. The applications are available at http://www.pupillages.com, and the submission and offer schedules follow the OLPAS timetable.
  
  At chambers, the selection process is comprised of two rounds of interviews, the first is with three members of chambers and the second round is with a full panel of six members of the recruitment committee.
  
  Applications for mini-pupillage can be sent via mail, the application will consist of a detailed CV and a covering letter mentioning reasons for applying for a mini-pupillage at Henderson’s.

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