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1 Hare Court was the first set of chambers to specialise in family law. The majority of chambers’ work is in the area of matrimonial finance, although members also act in private child law and TOLATA disputes. Chambers has been consistently ranked in the legal directories as the leading matrimonial finance set, with members of Chambers having been involved in almost all of the leading cases in this area including: White v White, Miller v Miller, McFarlane v McFarlane, McLeod v McLeod, Radmacher v Granatino, Petrodel v Prest, Agbaje v Agbaje, Sharland v Sharland, and Waggott v Waggott. Chambers has the greatest number of financial remedy silks at the Bar (15) and numerous junior barristers ranked in the legal directories as leading juniors. Members of Chambers regularly appear in the most high profile and high value matrimonial finance cases taking place in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and the Supreme Court. Members of Chambers edit the practitioners’ guide, Rayden & Jackson on Divorce and Family Matters, and the leading reference work, Financial Remedies Practice. Former members of Chambers include Law Lords, members of the Court of Appeal, Presidents of the Family Division of the High Court, and current members of the High Court. During their pupillage, pupils will be supervised by leading family law practitioners. Pupils can expect to be introduced to most aspects of private family law, but the emphasis in Chambers is on the resolution of financial disputes following relationship breakdown, whether through the court process or other available forms of dispute resolution. No knowledge of or experience of family law is required prior to an application for pupillage, though demonstrating an interest in Chambers’ areas of practice is obviously essential. There is no requirement for prospective candidates to undertake a mini-pupillage in Chambers prior to an application for pupillage (though undertaking a mini-pupillage is encouraged). Please see our website for further details of pupillage at 1 Hare Court: www.1hc.com/join-us/.
Candidates should be able to show that they have a flair for advocacy, presentational and analytical skills and the ability to develop sound judgment, as well as having a strong academic record (at least a 2:1 honours degree). Given the emphasis on financial work, some aptitude and interest in financial matters is desirable. However, chambers’ work remains rooted in human problems and a sympathetic but perceptive response to those problems is essential.
We recruit pupils once a year. Applications for pupillages commencing in October 2024 are scheduled in accordance with the Pupillage Gateway timetable. Chambers has its own pupillage application form and completed forms should be sent by email to [email protected]. References will be requested in the event that a candidate reaches a second-round interview.
Applicants must be at least at undergraduate level and have an interest in becoming a family law barrister. Applications are welcomed from those doing non-law undergraduate degrees with a view to converting to law after graduation, and studying for a law degree or the GDL/Bar course is not a requirement for mini-pupillage. Applications are accepted twice a year and should be sent to [email protected] with a full CV and typed covering letter marked for the attention of Henrietta Boyle and Edward Benson. Applications for mini-pupillages are assessed twice per year. For mini-pupillages between October and January, applications should be submitted between 1-31 July. For mini-pupillages between February and July, applications should be submitted between 1-31 January. Applications outside these windows will not be considered.
Two fully-funded pupillages. Pupils will receive a pupillage award of £35,000, in addition to retaining their earnings in their second six (which are not subject to chambers’ rent).
Practice Areas
Extra info
Phone: 020 7797 7070
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.1hc.com
| Mini-pupillages: | Yes |
| Minimum qualification: | 2.1 degree |
