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Being a self-employed or in-house barrister can offer distinct experiences in terms of organisational and work environments as well as the day-to-day responsibilities. So, which employment status, and work-life balance, is more desirable?
Alastair Wright, a self-employed barrister, practises from St John’s Buildings in clinical negligence and personal injury litigation where he is Head of the Industrial Disease Litigation Group. Here is Alistair’s point of view:
‘I have practised as a self-employed barrister from Chambers based in Manchester for over 30 years, and in that time the structure of chambers – its organisation, management and the physical environment in which I work – has changed significantly. Chambers has grown substantially from 20 close-knit members to an organisation run by management professionals, spanning four sites, comprising over 250 members and employing 75 staff. Despite these changes, one principle has remained constant – I am my own boss and have been since I was 24.
‘Self-employed barristers operate as their own business, working on their own cases and earning income based on the fees they charge for their services. This independence allows them to establish and build their own practices, set their own rates, within the constraints of any block contracts won by chambers, and choose the cases they wish to take on.
‘One key benefit of being a self-employed barrister in private practice is the autonomy it provides. I have the freedom to manage my own schedule, take holidays when I choose, and make decisions free from the constraints of an employer.
‘However, that freedom brings with it the burden of responsibility. Not only ultimate responsibility for the decisions made in, and outcomes of, the litigation, but also the day-to-day realities of self-employment; Self-Assessment Tax and VAT returns, pension and National Insurance provision, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Data Protection compliance, Regulatory compliance, Money Laundering Regulations, billing, credit control and fee chasing, accountancy obligations and the latest Conditional Fee Arrangement provisions to name the most immediately obvious.’
Daniel Tresigne is an employed barrister at DWF Chambers. He practises (among other areas) in personal injury, and clinical negligence. Here is Daniel’s point of view:
‘The rise of organisations like DWF Chambers, an SRA-regulated alternative business structure, has expanded the landscape of the employed Bar. For example, in my main area of practice, we work alongside insurance, medical, forensic accounting and rehabilitation specialists. It’s an integrated approach which clients appreciate, and more of a team environment than a traditional barristers’ chambers.
‘I don’t pay chambers rent. I don’t pay for my practising certificate or any of the plethora of resources needed for this career. I don’t even need to worry about the cost of travelling to and from court, or engaging my accountant to sort out tax returns. It’s all covered by my employer.
‘The reality is that the work does not stop at 5:30pm. The paid holidays, company contributed pension and health insurance do keep going after 5:30pm ticks by.
‘Even in the comparatively short period of time I have been with DWF Chambers, the numbers in the team have expanded. I have been able to engage with instructing solicitors not just on individual cases but to develop strategies from the earliest points and work collaboratively throughout a case or series of cases.
‘I would always like to see the revenue I earn for my employer land in my pocket rather than theirs. The trade-off is that, even during a quiet month or during a period of family leave, I know what and when I will be paid. Given everything, stability for me and those around me is important.’
As with anything, there are pros and cons to both being employed and self-employed and these may change as you move through your career. Being your own boss may seem appealing, but it comes with a huge amount of extra responsibility and, in my view, the day-to-day job of being a barrister is tough enough without adding more pressure.
Dan Monaghan is Head of DWF Chambers, Manchester. Dan has over 30 years’ experience working in professional services and is an expert in how chambers operate and function.
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Alastair Wright, a self-employed barrister (called: 1991), practises from St John’s Buildings in clinical negligence and personal injury litigation where he is Head of the Industrial Disease Litigation Group.
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Daniel Tresigne is an employed barrister at DWF Chambers. He was called in 2016 and practises in personal injury and clinical negligence as well as police and prisons law and costs.
Being a self-employed or in-house barrister can offer distinct experiences in terms of organisational and work environments as well as the day-to-day responsibilities. So, which employment status, and work-life balance, is more desirable?
Alastair Wright, a self-employed barrister, practises from St John’s Buildings in clinical negligence and personal injury litigation where he is Head of the Industrial Disease Litigation Group. Here is Alistair’s point of view:
‘I have practised as a self-employed barrister from Chambers based in Manchester for over 30 years, and in that time the structure of chambers – its organisation, management and the physical environment in which I work – has changed significantly. Chambers has grown substantially from 20 close-knit members to an organisation run by management professionals, spanning four sites, comprising over 250 members and employing 75 staff. Despite these changes, one principle has remained constant – I am my own boss and have been since I was 24.
‘Self-employed barristers operate as their own business, working on their own cases and earning income based on the fees they charge for their services. This independence allows them to establish and build their own practices, set their own rates, within the constraints of any block contracts won by chambers, and choose the cases they wish to take on.
‘One key benefit of being a self-employed barrister in private practice is the autonomy it provides. I have the freedom to manage my own schedule, take holidays when I choose, and make decisions free from the constraints of an employer.
‘However, that freedom brings with it the burden of responsibility. Not only ultimate responsibility for the decisions made in, and outcomes of, the litigation, but also the day-to-day realities of self-employment; Self-Assessment Tax and VAT returns, pension and National Insurance provision, Professional Indemnity Insurance, Data Protection compliance, Regulatory compliance, Money Laundering Regulations, billing, credit control and fee chasing, accountancy obligations and the latest Conditional Fee Arrangement provisions to name the most immediately obvious.’
Daniel Tresigne is an employed barrister at DWF Chambers. He practises (among other areas) in personal injury, and clinical negligence. Here is Daniel’s point of view:
‘The rise of organisations like DWF Chambers, an SRA-regulated alternative business structure, has expanded the landscape of the employed Bar. For example, in my main area of practice, we work alongside insurance, medical, forensic accounting and rehabilitation specialists. It’s an integrated approach which clients appreciate, and more of a team environment than a traditional barristers’ chambers.
‘I don’t pay chambers rent. I don’t pay for my practising certificate or any of the plethora of resources needed for this career. I don’t even need to worry about the cost of travelling to and from court, or engaging my accountant to sort out tax returns. It’s all covered by my employer.
‘The reality is that the work does not stop at 5:30pm. The paid holidays, company contributed pension and health insurance do keep going after 5:30pm ticks by.
‘Even in the comparatively short period of time I have been with DWF Chambers, the numbers in the team have expanded. I have been able to engage with instructing solicitors not just on individual cases but to develop strategies from the earliest points and work collaboratively throughout a case or series of cases.
‘I would always like to see the revenue I earn for my employer land in my pocket rather than theirs. The trade-off is that, even during a quiet month or during a period of family leave, I know what and when I will be paid. Given everything, stability for me and those around me is important.’
As with anything, there are pros and cons to both being employed and self-employed and these may change as you move through your career. Being your own boss may seem appealing, but it comes with a huge amount of extra responsibility and, in my view, the day-to-day job of being a barrister is tough enough without adding more pressure.
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