Probationary Tenancy
Job type: Probationary Tenancy
Salary: £35,000 (six months)
Location: London
Closing date: 31/07/2026
Contract: Six Months
| Interview Date: | To be confirmed |
| Closing Date of vacancy: | 11.59pm on Friday, 31 July 2026 |
| Level of guaranteed earnings: | £35,000 (six months) |
| Location: | London |
| Start Date: | Monday, 28 September 2026 |
39 Essex Chambers has a vacancy for up to two probationary tenancies for barristers intending to develop a practice in one or more of Chambers’ specialist areas, namely Public Law, Commercial/Construction, Property/Environmental/Planning, and Personal Injury / Clinical Negligence.
39 Essex is a leading set based in London, Dubai, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. We have 175 members – 62 of whom are KCs. We are one of the country’s largest civil sets with members who are experts in a wide range of specialist sectors and practice areas.
Person Specification
The ideal candidate for the probationary tenancy will:
(1)    score highly in Chambers’ recruitment criteria, namely: (a) intellectual ability; (b) expressive ability; (c) interpersonal skills; (d) commitment, resilience and efficiency; and have a strong interest in one or more areas of law in which Chambers specialises;
(2)    intend to develop a practice focusing on one or more of Chambers’ areas of practice; and
(3)    accept instructions and practise across all of Chambers’ core practice areas (commercial and / or construction; property, environment and planning; public law; and civil liability) for the duration of their probationary tenancy and, if successful, the following 18 months. Chambers will provide CPD to the probationary tenant as required to ensure they are competent to practise.
Chambers will provide a mentor to each probationary tenant and the Pupillage Committee will actively monitor their progress. The Pupillage Committee will meet to decide whether to recommend a probationary tenant is offered full tenancy in the final month of the probationary tenancy, judged against Chambers’ recruitment criteria.
Contract Terms And Benefits
Chambers will provide a mentor to each probationary tenant and the Pupillage Committee will actively monitor their progress. The Pupillage Committee will meet to decide whether to recommend a probationary tenant is offered full tenancy in the final month of the probationary tenancy, judged against Chambers’ recruitment criteria.
Each probationary tenancy will be set out in a written agreement to be entered into between Chambers and the probationary tenant. The probationary tenant will:
- make no financial contributions to Chambers during their probationary tenancy;
- not have any Chambers voting rights during the probationary period;
- be fairly allocated work in the same manner as for any other member of Chambers;
- be involved in the same career development and social events as other members of Chambers; and
- be provided with full and transparent feedback in the event they are unsuccessful in converting to full tenancy.
Applications
If you are interested in applying for this vacancy, please email vikram.sachdeva@39essex.com with a copy of your CV.
We will hold one round of interviews.
Chambers is committed to broadening access and opportunities both at the Bar and within Chambers, and for both barristers and staff. We particularly encourage applications from people who are underrepresented in the legal profession. We will offer reasonable adjustments to any candidates who require them.
39 Essex Chambers is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We encourage and welcome applications from people of the global majority, those with disabilities, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, women and candidates from groups which are under-represented in the legal sector.
