Henry Webb
Name: Henry Webb
Chambers: Selborne Chambers
Area of work:
University: Oxford, law (2003)
I have always been interested in advocacy and this attracted me to the Bar. While I was studying for my law degree and BCL (a masters in law) I was particularly interested in subjects towards the commercial end of the spectrum, and sought out minipupillages at commercial chambers.
Working life as a commercial law barrister
A typical working day tends to be longer than for most other areas at the Bar. However, the hours are generally slightly more predictable than for criminal and general common law barristers and are usually not quite so long as those experienced by trainee and newly qualified solicitors at City law firms doing similar work. I am in court on average two or three times a week, and spend the rest of my time in chambers preparing for hearings or working on written advice and drafting documents. Client contact is limited; the clients are usually banks, commercial landlords and other large companies from whom instructions are typically received via solicitors.
I work alone for the majority of my cases, though often a more senior member of chambers will be instructed for the eventual trial. Occasionally there are opportunities to work directly with senior members of chambers as a junior. This enables me to learn how to approach the larger and more difficult cases.
Ups and downs of working in commercial law
The worst aspect of working as a junior commercial barrister is the thump of three lever arch files on your desk on a Friday afternoon, filled with witness statements, schedules and correspondence and accompanied by a covering letter requiring the work to be completed by Monday. The best is the intellectual challenge and the fact that the work is normally very well paid.