Life as a Junior Tenant

A junior tenant’s perspective

A typical week for a new tenant at Henderson Chambers involves three or four hearings or applications at court, spread over the week. These can range over a number of Chambers’ specialities but are normally relatively short and unlikely to last longer than a day. Some provide opportunities for witness handling (such as small claim road traffic accidents or disputed debts) whilst others are simply in the form of advocacy by way of submissions (such as many possession actions or applications for summary judgment).

In addition to court work, junior tenants will find themselves increasingly instructed for paper work, both opinions and pleadings, often in more complex or specialist areas of law.  There will also be opportunities for devilling and junioring, often being led by some of the most senior members of Chambers in product liability, employment or health and safety cases.

Typical areas of work in the first year of practise

Landlord and Tenant issues – possession, injunctions, anti-social behaviour proceedings, disrepair and mortgage claims.

Employment disputes – unfair dismissal, redundancies and employee personal injury.

Road Traffic and credit hire claims.

Assorted contractual disputes – debts, bankruptcy, credit agreements.

Personal injury – trials and disposal hearings, infant approval hearings.

Anticipated earnings in second year of practise

£60,000

Chambers contributions

13.5%

Accommodation of members in chambers

A range of accommodation is available, but most junior tenants share two to a room.