The Independent Bar
Insights into a Unique Business Model
Published: 2018
Pages: 170
eBook: 9781787420939
This practical guide, edited by David Barnes, Chief Executive & Director of Clerking at 39 Essex Chambers, provides readers with in-depth insight and advice into the management of chambers including business strategy, international development, talent management and compliance.
The role of the barristers’ clerk continues to be vital to managing and developing the practice of independent sole practitioners operating under the umbrella of a chambers. However, the ever-changing face of the legal profession has necessitated that clerks, and chambers, adapt to the fresh demands of the new business environment. In addition to the now multi-faceted role of the clerks, the management and administrative structure of many chambers today often includes CEOs, accountants, HR and marketing teams.
This practical guide, edited by David Barnes, Chief Executive & Director of Clerking at Atkin Chambers, provides readers with in-depth insight and advice into the management of chambers including business strategy, practice management, international development, talent management and compliance. The book features chapters from some of the most prominent clerks and CEOs currently working within the world of the Bar, as well as experts in accounting and recruitment.
Table of Contents
| Cover | 1 | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | 2 | |
| Copyright | 3 | |
| Table of contents | 4 | |
| Foreword | 6 | |
| Strategy and why it is important Nicholas Luckman Wilberforce Chambers | 8 | |
| Barristers’ finance Howard Sears Price Bailey LLP | 20 | |
| Practice management and business development Paul Martenstyn Alex Taylor Fountain Court Chambers – London & Singapore | 42 | |
| International development David Grief Essex Court Chambers | 52 | |
| Marketing and branding Natalie Hearn Rachel Murray Matrix Chambers Lindsay Scott 39 Essex Chambers | 62 | |
| Recruitment and talent management Nick Rees GRL Legal LLP | 76 | |
| Women in law David Barnes Atkin Chambers | 90 | |
| Wellbeing Nicholas Hill 3 New Square IP | 106 | |
| Compliance and risk management Christine Kings Outer Temple Chambers | 118 | |
| Technology @ the Bar Felicity Schneider Littleton Chambers | 138 | |
| Pro bono/CSR Chris Broom Gray’s Inn Tax Chambers | 150 | |
| About the authors | 160 | |
| Index | 166 |
Here’s a book that should be in every chambers’ library, containing as it does, a wealth of informed, authoritative and practical advice in how to run a barristers’ chambers profitably in a fiercely competitive legal environment. So it is not entirely and exclusively about ‘the independent bar’ as such; rather the focus centres on the Bar as a business.
Phillip Taylor MBE
Richmond Green Chambers
An excellent handbook for anyone looking to understand the ever expanding role of a clerk or practice manager in modern day barristers’ chambers, whether they are starting out, rising up the ranks and looking to develop their skills, or already in a senior position and wanting to hear how others have met the challenges that every set now faces, and seized the opportunities. A window into how a set of chambers really works – or should work in the 21st century.
Andrew Walker QC
Chair of the Bar, The Bar Council
Does this book succeed? It is without doubt an excellent primer about the business of chambers and does so well within its one-volume constraints.
Robin Jackson
3 Verulam Buildings