Commercial chambers becomes first barristers’ set to adopt contextual recruitment

Leading commercial set 20 Essex Street has become the first barristers’ chambers in the country to adopt Rare’s contextual recruitment system (CRS), an approach to assessing applicants that is designed to be fairer to candidates from diverse and less-privileged backgrounds.

The CRS uses data-driven software that looks not just at candidates’ achievements, but the context in which they happen. Contextualising candidates’ achievements within their circumstances helps level the playing field for talented applicants from less-privileged backgrounds.

Although over 70 City law firms are using the software, 20 Essex Street remains the only barristers’ chambers to sign up – a situation that won’t help perceptions that the Bar is an elitist profession that is very difficult to enter without the availability of significant financial resources.

Michael Coburn QC, head of pupillage at 20 Essex Street, said: “We are delighted to be using Rare’s contextual recruitment system in our selection process at 20 Essex Street. We are committed to improving access to the Bar. Our aim is to recruit candidates of the highest standard by giving fair and equal opportunity to everyone. We believe the CRS will be invaluable in helping us achieve these objectives. Its technology and data will allow us to put a candidate’s achievements into their wider context, so that we can identify real talent that might otherwise have been overlooked.”

Raph Mokades, Rare’s founder and managing director, said: “The business case for diversity has been made numerous times and its merits are undisputed. Employers frequently comment that Rare’s candidates are more robust than those sourced from conventional backgrounds – they can be better at handling the challenges of demanding jobs, and less likely to drop out. Candidates once seen as ‘unconventional’ often make the best hires.”