Closing date: 19 May 2023

Job Title: Assistant to a Barrister

Working For: Media and human rights barrister at Doughty Street Chambers

Location: London

Length of Contract: Ad hoc shifts with possibility of regular part time shifts, and then a full-time position available from mid-September.

Renumeration: Introductory/ad hoc rate: £15 p/h. Full-time rate significantly more, depending on training and experience. Self-employed. PAYE can be discussed if desired.

Job Details

The barrister’s work is centred around media and human rights, including cases of political significance. They are also heavily involved in work on disability rights, including in the Bar and the justice system. The barrister is disabled and engages assistants to support them in managing their disabilities as part of their fast paced and complex practice. The work will be located at both Doughty Street Chambers and at the barrister’s home office in Hackney. Legal education, especially BPTC and/or legal work... experience, is desirable but not essential. Previous occupiers of the role have gone on to secure pupillage and other exciting opportunities in law and civil society/public affairs.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Supporting the barrister in every aspect of their case work including intensive case preparation, complex legal research and document management, and accessing and collating materials

2. Attending court, conferences and professional meetings, including in evenings, and arranging access and other adjustments

3. Fast and accurate contemporaneous notetaking

4. Written and oral communication with solicitors, clerks and chambers staff, and barristers on a range of case and other professional matters

5. Assisting with IT set up and management (in Chambers and at their home) including set up for remote video court hearings and conferences

6. Keeping track of projects and deadlines, and supporting the barrister in complex time management, including the sensitive and appropriate prioritisation of multiple and competing demands

Essential skills and attributes

1. Capacity to support a high performing professional with multiple disabilities in high pressure and multifaceted work

2. Strong oral and written communication skills and research skills

3. Attention to detail and excellent spelling and grammar

4. Excellent time management and organisational skills

5. Initiative and discretion when problem-solving in a range of professional contexts

6. Good judgement and common sense

7. High degree of flexibility since working hours and shifts can be long, irregular, and unpredictable depending on court and other case demands and deadlines

8. Ability to work closely, and build a relationship of trust and partnership with the barrister

Desirable skills and attributes

1. BPTC graduate and/or experience of working with barristers

2. Other legal education/training and legal work experience

3. Knowledge or interest in media (including social media) and/or human rights law and/or disability rights

4. Experience of supporting disabled people in a professional environment

5. UK Driving Licence

Closing Date: 19 May 2023

Applications and interviews

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply early. The deadline for applications is 19 May 2023. Early candidates may be invited to initial interview before the deadline.

Applications consisting of a CV and one page covering letter should be emailed to David Lipson ([email protected]) and Hayley Webster ([email protected]). Applicants should indicate whether they are interested in ad hoc work, regular part time work, and/or the full-time position from September.

Start dates

Trial shifts and then regular ad hoc/part time work will be available over summer, especially evenings and on weekends. A full-time position will be available from mid-September
London UK

Salary Criteria