Chambers’ success depends not only on the ability to attract the best workforce but to foster an environment of excellence, personal development and growth.  We set the bar high whilst working with you to achieve your personal best.

The management team operate an open door policy encouraging transparency and fairness.

Current staff vacancies are advertised on our website and can be found on this page. Where appropriate, vacancies might also be advertised with the Legal Practice Management Association and the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks.

Our aim is to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome all applications, regardless of race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), sex, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, age or religion or belief. All applications will be considered solely on merit.

We encourage candidates to give us a full picture of any mitigating circumstances, including neurodiversity and late diagnosis neurodivergence if applicable.

The attributes that connect the staff team here at Chambers are that we:  

  • Are always objective and honest 

  • Communicate with others well

  • Are approachable

  • Are curious, and who want to learn

  • Have a positive attitude

  • Are always professional

  • Take the wheel when needed

  • Have a sense of fairness

  • Keep things in perspective

If this resonates with you, why not think about joining us? All current vacancies are posted below.

Equal Opportunities statement

Doughty Street Chambers is committed to creating a diverse work space and to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment on the basis of merit.  We encourage and welcome applications from women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic individuals, Neurodiverse and D/deaf and Disabled people and those who are LGBTQ+, as well as candidates from other underrepresented groups.

Chambers complies with the Bar Standards Board Code of Conduct Equality Rules, the BSB Handbook Equality Rules supporting information, and the Bar Council’s Fair Recruitment Guide and Reasonable Adjustments Guide.

Guaranteed Interview Scheme

Under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, Doughty Street Chambers will offer a guaranteed interview to applicants who are Disabled within the meaning of the Equality Act 2010, provided they meet the minimum requirements of the position for which they have applied. This is part of our work as a Disability Confident [Employer].

The right to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme depends solely on being Disabled and meeting the minimum requirements. It does not depend on you requesting reasonable adjustments. To indicate that you wish to be considered under the scheme, please send us a separate email confirming this to the email address below. 

If you are a Disabled applicant and state that you wish to take advantage of this scheme it may be necessary to discuss this with those who review applications, in order to check that you meet the minimum requirements for the role. Unless it is unavoidable because the same persons reviewing the applications have to be on the interview panel, the interview panel will not know that you are being interviewed under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme.

If you prefer not to disclose that you are Disabled, unfortunately this may mean that you cannot be guaranteed an interview, even if you meet the minimum requirements for the position, because we do not know that you are eligible. Within the equality monitoring form, where the applicant is asked whether they are disabled as part of the application process, there is a box to tick if applicants want to opt OUT of consideration under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme if they tick that they are disabled. We treat all disclosures and related discussions in a confidential manner.

Reasonable Adjustments

If you are Disabled, you are entitled to reasonable adjustments during the application and recruitment process. Reasonable adjustments might include (but are not limited to) a large print application form, ensuring ease of physical access to interviews, the use of assistive technology during interviews, or extra time provided for interviews.

Should you wish to discuss reasonable adjustments or anything else relating to disability, including a psychosocial disability, or neurodiversity in connection with this recruitment, we welcome and encourage you to do so by contacting the email address below.

The entitlement to reasonable adjustments if you are Disabled applies whether or not you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme

Mitigating Circumstances

We encourage candidates to give us a full picture of any mitigating circumstances such as bereavement, caring responsibilities, or any circumstances arising from disability, neurodiversity, or health conditions which have had a notable effect on your application. You are not obliged to share this information, but if you choose to do so, it will be considered during the selection process.  It will not be shared more widely.

Contacting us regarding your application

Should you wish to discuss reasonable adjustments, the Guaranteed Interview Scheme, anything else relating to a disability, or mitigating circumstances in connection with this recruitment, in confidence and with someone unconnected to the recruitment process, please contact Doughty Street Chambers: recruitment@doughtystreet.co.uk.

Current Vacancies

Practice Manager (Civil Team)

Permanent employee, Full-time · London


THE ROLE

To assist in the delivery of a high quality, efficient clerking service to clients and members of Chambers.This role is specifically focused on Civil Clerking Teams. The nature of the work means that this role is fast paced and often high profile. The Practice Manager will be engaged in practice management and client handling and will be principally involved in assisting the Senior Practice Manager in the efficient case management and clerking administration of the team. 

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
 

Practice Management

  1. Develop a detailed knowledge of the practices of the barristers clerked by the team and be familiar with those of other civil members.
  2. Keep up to date with developments and trends within the legal services market and the Bar in particular, and with regulations affecting the execution of clerking services.  
  3. Provide advice and support to members and ensure that members are as fully and gainfully occupied as possible with work appropriate to their seniority and expertise.
  4. Responsibility and detailed understanding of the long-term diary.
  5. Provide clients with appropriate guidance on suitable counsel.
  6. Ability to deal with fee negotiations with support from the Senior Practice Manager where necessary.
  7. Attend practice development meetings and take an active part in discussions.
  8. Provide coaching and supervision to the more junior members of the team. 

Strategic Business Development

  1. Identify business development opportunities and work with Senior Practice Manager and Senior Clerk to bring in additional work.
  2. Take active role in organising and attending events for clients (including some out-of-normal-hours commitments, and some out of London) and actively engage with others that attend and proactively develop own network of clients.
 
Current Business and Client Relationship Management
  1. Develop, maintain and enhance relationships with current and prospective clients.
  2. Develop an understanding of other (civil and criminal) clients to ensure effective cross-selling.
  3. Ensure client care is delivered to the highest standards.
  4. Build good relationships with staff, members and client solicitors.
  5. Collate and maintain effective CRM data.
 
Clerking Functions
  1. Act as a point of contact for all instructing solicitors and other prospective clients to ensure that appropriate counsel is instructed, and appropriate fees are agreed in line with fair allocation of work policies, in conjunction with the Senior Practice Manager and Assistant Practice Manager.
  2. Ensure that appropriate retainers are in place and relevant contracts are entered into correctly.
  3. Manage Counsels’ diaries effectively, ensuring barristers are aware of deadlines arising and resolution of any day-to-day issues and diary clashes.
  4. Fix and move cases in accordance with instructions given by the instructing solicitor.
  5. Use reporting systems as required.
  6. Provide cover and support for the Senior Practice Manager and Assistant Practice Manager when required.
  7. Report all formal and informal complaints or issues of concern to the Senior Practice Manager/ Senior Clerk. 
  8. Implement efficient practice management systems alongside LEX taking on board suggestions from Assistant Practice Manager and seeking approval from Senior Clerk.
 
Other Tasks
  1. Undertake any other tasks reasonably delegated by the Senior Clerk, Chief Executive or Management Board.
  2. Assist with the development of efficient systems including the effective use of Chambers case management software.
  3. Use initiative to initiate and successfully deliver projects that will lead to performance improvement.
  4. Contribute to staff discussions and meetings.

WHY US?

We offer great benefits package including:

  • Salary - circa £35-45k per annum (maximum subject to experience) 
  • Pension
  • Sick Pay
  • Annual Leave Entitlement - 29 days plus Bank Holidays and 1 Additional day for Birthdays
  • Cycle to work Scheme
  • Social Events
  • 30% off gym membership with Nuffield Health

ABOUT US

Doughty Street Chambers (DSC) comprises over 170 barristers supported by 45 staff who all share a fundamental commitment to going “above and beyond” for our clients. Striving for access to justice, professionalism and excellence remains the driving force behind all that we do, coupled with our desire to innovate in the way that we offer services to our clients. Read more about our values here.

Doughty Street barristers are specialist practitioners, regularly involved in high profile, precedent-setting cases.  Although we work across many fields, we are particularly known for our commitment to protecting and furthering human rights and civil liberties. We are noted as leaders in our fields, for our intellectual excellence and for cultivating a collaborative approach between our various practice teams.

Read the full job description and apply here.

The deadline for applications is 25 march 2024.

Onsite IT Support Manager

Permanent employee, Full-time · London


THE ROLE

The role of the Onsite IT Support Manager is to provide both remote and onsite support to staff and 
members of Chambers, including Associates and Academics.  
 
Working closely with the Head of Facilities, Managed Service Provider (MSP) and where relevant, the Facilities team, the post holder will help ensure that the day-to-day IT administration and IT related project work of Chambers is handled efficiently and effectively. 
 
As a key support role in chambers, the post holder must maintain confidentiality with regard to all of Chambers’ business and will be expected to deal with pressure arising from often urgent support requirements. 

Key Accountabilities and Responsibilities
 

General IT Support  

With responsibility for day to day on IT support across Chambers the post holder is required to ensure that users have fit for purpose IT hardware and software resources to deliver effective professional support to internal and external clients. In order to provide efficiency across Chambers the key tasks will include:  
  • Maintaining and upgrading devices, working in collaboration with and under the leadership of the Director of Operations and Strategic Planning (DO&SP), investigating, recommending, procuring and installing new software and hardware. 
  • Supporting and training staff and practitioners including end user training such as Office 365. 
  • Liaising with MSP/DO&SP to resolve problems and to further develop systems. 
  • Meeting room and seminar equipment set up/troubleshooting. 
  • Expert user of video conferencing facilities, including hardware upgrade reviews. 
  • Operating and fault finding on AV equipment, including screens. 
  • Maintaining and updating IT asset register (and spares). 
  • Understanding of the functionality of the phone system and providing end user support (working closely with the Facilities team). 
  • Feeding into IT policy reviews. 

Collaborative Onsite / Remote IT Support duties (alongside MSP) 

Working closely with our external support partners, the postholder is responsible for ensuring that users have access to their various accounts and software ensuring any changes, updates, or issues are effectively and quickly communicated with service users and third-party service providers. In addition, the postholder is accountable for:  
  • Setting up new users and removing leavers including password reset, MFA Setup, email block/release Business Critical home visits to members (on rare occasions), remote Access / WVD issues troubleshooting. 
  • Other general responsibilities include obtaining quotes for devices/equipment. 
  • Overseeing IT security measures roll out. 
  • Secure IT Disposal of all IT Equipment for Staff and Members including secure destruction of hard drives, and storage devices within GDPR Compliance and WEE Certification. 
  • Responsible for laptop builds, setting up new devices and repairs including hardware and software faults, troubleshooting, installation of spare parts as required to resolve faults and updating software, and recovering and restoring systems and data. 
  • Testing of hardware and software and keeping end users updated through fault finding processes and  managing the expectations; providing clear and realistic timeframes.

Project work (crossover and mixed interaction with facilities, finance and MSP) 

With responsibility for IT related projects to ensure that Chambers IT infrastructure is progressing, evolving and fit for purpose. This includes: 
  • Contributing to project plans and leading on various aspects of implementation 
  • Ensuring project is completed to budget 
  • Ensuring projects are completed to deadlines and communication progress throughout 
  • Assisting as needed to conduct due diligence of any new potential suppliers, including MSP tender process.

Additional general responsibility  

  • Actively promote the values and ethos of the chambers whilst working towards achieving the strategic objectives of the chambers, focusing on the impact of the overall departmental operational plan.  
  • Supporting the management team to ensure that the chambers fulfils its obligations for the Health, Safety and Security of all employees and relevant stakeholders.  
  • Represent the organisation in relevant sector initiatives and ensure that the chambers continues to learn from and share information with internal and external stakeholders as appropriate.  
  • Promoting equality of opportunity, diversity, and inclusiveness to ensure that the delivery of people management, policies, and systems through all aspects of the chamber are fair, transparent, and consistent, without prejudice or discrimination to all internal and external stakeholders.  

WHY US?

We offer great benefits package including:

  • Salary - £40,000 per annum
  • Pension
  • Sick Pay
  • Annual Leave Entitlement - 29 days plus Bank Holidays and 1 Additional day for Birthdays
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Social Events
  • 30% off gym membership with Nuffield Health

ABOUT US

Doughty Street Chambers (DSC) comprises over 170 barristers supported by 45 staff who all share a fundamental commitment to going “above and beyond” for our clients. Striving for access to justice, professionalism and excellence remains the driving force behind all that we do, coupled with our desire to innovate in the way that we offer services to our clients. Read more about our values here.

Doughty Street barristers are specialist practitioners, regularly involved in high profile, precedent-setting cases.  Although we work across many fields, we are particularly known for our commitment to protecting and furthering human rights and civil liberties. We are noted as leaders in our fields, for our intellectual excellence and for cultivating a collaborative approach between our various practice teams.

Read the full job description and apply here.

The deadline for applications is 25 march 2024.