Job Title: Assistant to a Barrister
Working For: Media and human rights barrister at Doughty Street Chambers
Location: London
Type of Contract: Ad hoc shifts with the possibility of regular part-time shifts. Priority consideration will be given to those available for full-time cover from Thursday 26th October-Thursday 2nd November. Renumeration: Introductory/ad hoc rate: £15 p/h. 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:
- 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.
- Attending court, conferences, and professional meetings, including in evenings, and arranging access and other adjustments.
- Fast and accurate contemporaneous notetaking.
- Written and oral communication with solicitors, clerks and chambers staff, and barristers on a range of case and other professional matters.
- Assisting with IT set up and management (in Chambers and at their home) including set up for remote video court hearings and conferences.
- 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:
- Capacity to support a high performing professional with multiple disabilities in high pressure and multifaceted work.
- Strong oral and written communication skills and research skills.
- Attention to detail and excellent spelling and grammar.
- Excellent time management and organisational skills.
- Initiative and discretion when problem-solving in a range of professional contexts.
- Good judgement and common sense.
- High degree of flexibility since working hours and shifts can be long, irregular, and unpredictable depending on court and other case demands and deadlines.
- Ability to work closely and build a relationship of trust and partnership with the barrister.
Desirable skills and attributes:
- BPTC graduate and/or experience of working with barristers.
- Other legal education/training and legal work experience.
- Knowledge or interest in media (including social media) and/or human rights law and/or disability rights.
- Experience of supporting disabled people in a professional environment.
- UK Driving Licence.
Closing Date: ASAP.
Applications and interviews:
Due to the immediate need to fill the cover period urgently, applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible so that trial shifts can be arranged in advance.
Applications consisting of a CV and one page covering letter should be emailed to Sarah Quinn (s.quinn@doughtystreet.co.uk). Applications should include contact details and availability for the cover shift of Thursday 26 October - Thursday 2 November. Please also include your availability for the rest of 2023 and indicate whether you are interested in ad hoc work and/or regular part-time weekend work.
Start dates:
Trial shifts will occur in advance of the full-time cover period from Thursday 26th October-Thursday 2nd November. Otherwise, ad hoc and/or regular part-time work during evenings and weekends will be available on an ongoing basis.