THE FUTURE OF
THE MODERN BAR.

Richmond Chambers invites applications from talented and aspiring immigration barristers of all levels of call to join our immigration team. This is an exciting opportunity for successful members of the immigration bar to join our forward thinking and modern set.

Who we are

Richmond Chambers is a multi-award winning partnership of specialist immigration barristers. Based in the heart of Covent Garden, we’re a barrister-only immigration law practice, combining the expertise and quality of the Bar, with the service delivery and benefits package of a boutique law firm.

Authorised by the SRA as the UK’s first barrister-led ABS in July 2013, we were subsequently awarded ‘Best Emerging Firm’ at the MPF Awards for Management Excellence and ‘ABS of the Year’ at the Modern Law Awards. Ten years on and in 2023 we were shortlisted for ‘Boutique Law Firm of the Year’ at the Modern Law Awards. Our continuing success has seen us grow to a team of 15 specialist immigration barristers and 3 pupils, supported by a team of legal associates and business professionals.

What we do

We do everything that barristers traditionally do – and a whole lot more.

Just as in a traditional Chambers, our barristers are instructed by solicitors and OISC representatives to provide advice, representation and advocacy in relation to all aspects of personal and business immigration law.

But direct access work forms the mainstay of our practice. We like to get involved with our clients’ cases at an early stage and work with them to identify the relevant legal issues and shape the outcomes.

Our immigration barristers assist individuals with the full range of personal immigration matters, including immigration by investment, family migration, skilled migration, business immigration, student migration, free movement of EEA nationals and their family members, nationality and human rights law.

Our barristers also provide employers and corporate clients with a range of essential business immigration services. We’re regularly instructed directly by businesses in matters involving sponsor licensing, work and business visas for employees and advice on compliance management.

We assist our direct access clients through all stages of the immigration process, from preparing visa applications to enter and remain in the UK, through to providing representation at appeals before the immigration tribunal and higher courts.

How we work

Due to our unique structure, we’re able to combine the distinctive tradition and unique selling points of the Bar with a modern dynamic business environment.

We share the same commitment to expertise, quality and ethical standards as barristers in more traditional sets. Several of our barristers practised at the self-employed Bar before deciding to move to Richmond Chambers and we recruit only the most exceptional candidates who are committed to upholding the highest standards of the profession.

And, just as at the self-employed Bar, our employed barristers are independent experts. We believe that independence is a state of mind, not a business model. Our barristers enjoy complete freedom to advise and act autonomously, without any constraints.

There is also no such thing as a 9 to 5 in the office.  Our barristers have complete flexibility to work from Chambers, work from home or indeed from anywhere else.

Unlike in many traditional chambers though, our barristers are very much a team rather than a collection of individuals. Our working culture is inclusive and collaborative and we enjoy working together for our clients. At the same time, our managing partners provide a strategic decision-making capacity that ensures that things get done.

Our barristers have complete control over the work they take on. We receive a high number of enquiries from private clients every day, spanning the full range of personal and business immigration matters, as well as solicitor instructions. We operate a pool system, whereby barristers have access, via an online portal, to new enquiries that come into Chambers. The ‘cab-rank rule’ does not apply to us, and this complete flexibility means that our barristers are able to choose the work that best suits their experience, interests and availability.

Our barristers are supported by a team of legal associates and professional administrators who ensure that our barristers are able to provide a consistently high level of service delivery directly to our clients. Legal associates are available to assist with legal tasks ranging from taking notes at conferences and court hearings, to taking and drafting witness statements, preparing bundles, legal research and drafting. Meanwhile, our team of professional administrators, all of whom are experienced in working directly with the public, deliver a seamless non-traditional ‘clerking’ service.

Our focus on direct access work means that there’s no such thing as a last minute brief and, because all our work is conducted on an agreed fee basis with fees paid in advance, our barristers have no aged debt.

We embrace new technology wherever this enables us to work more effectively and flexibly. Every barrister has access to an Apple iMac and an Apple MacBook Pro notebook. Our cloud based case management and document sharing systems, combined with video conferencing technology, facilitate working directly with clients around the world and ensure that remote working is possible.

“Having practised at the traditional bar for 15 years I was excited at the opportunity to join a forward thinking and modern set. I was welcomed by a friendly, dynamic, caring and hardworking team. Clients are always well served and excellent and consistent results are achieved through hard work and dedication. I knew immediately on joining that I had made the right decision and am excited to be part of an innovative set who are leading the way forward.” Alexandra Pease, Immigration Barrister

Salary and Benefits Package

As a barrister at Richmond Chambers you will be entitled to a comprehensive salary and benefits package not found in self-employed practice.

Compensation packages can be tailored to individual needs and circumstances, but our full-time barristers typically enjoy the following benefits:

• Competitive and guaranteed basic salary paid monthly
• Additional monthly salary payment based on receipts
• 30 days paid holiday per year, plus bank holidays
• Unlimited unpaid leave
• Convenient central London location
• Flexible, home and remote working
• Generous maternity leave (including 6 months full pay)
• Paternity and parental leave
• No aged debt
• No chambers rent
• Practising certificate
• Professional insurance
• Bespoke professional development and training
• Online subscriptions to ILPA, EIN and Free Movement
• Private health insurance
• Pension scheme
• Employee wellbeing and discounts app
• A new Apple MacBook 
• Collaborative and supportive work environment
• Exposure to high-profile and challenging immigration cases
• Opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients
• Flexibility to shape your own immigration practice

Who should apply

If you’re a barrister practising immigration law and are interested in doing things differently, we’d like to hear from you. You’ll need to be able to demonstrate academic excellence and either an established immigration practice or the ability to build one. We’re looking for talented, progressive barristers with an ability, aptitude and enthusiasm for working directly with members of the public.

We encourage applications from candidates from all backgrounds, regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, marital status, religion or belief, or disability.

How can I find out more?

If you would like to learn more about joining Richmond Chambers, please send a covering letter and CV to our HR Manager, Nancy Holland (nancy.holland@richmondchambers.com).

All expressions of interest will be treated in the strictest of confidence.