Chambers’ work spans a number of practice areas; you may have already come across some of them, such as clinical negligence, in the course of your studies. However, others may be more unfamiliar, prompting you to ask questions such as: ‘what is the law of inquests and inquiries?’ and ‘what does Court of Protection work actually entail?’ This document contains a list of resources you may consider referring to if you are thinking about applying to undertake pupillage with us. There is no expectation that you will have read all of the below if you are invited to interview – this document is intended only to indicate some of the types of work we are involved in.
Clinical Negligence
This is one of Chambers’ core areas of practice, with members regularly appearing for both claimants and defendants. Relevant resources include:
- UK Healthcare Blog (a blog run by Chambers, useful for understanding both broad concepts and the particulars of key cases)
- 1 Crown Office Row’s Quarterly Medical Law Review (a quarterly summary of key cases)
- Clinical Negligence Made Clear: A Guide for Patients and Professionals (basic introduction)
Court of Protection
Cases that come before the Court of Protection involve issues relating to the Mental Capacity Act. Parties often have complex physical and mental health needs but lack the capacity to make decisions about their own treatment. This type of work is person-centred; as a result, much depends on the particular issues before the court, and it is not possible to say which cases will be most useful to refer to. For interest, see:
- The Mental Capacity Act Code of Practice (government guidance on how the Mental Capacity Act operates in practice)
- The Open Justice Court of Protection Project (an excellent blog on CoP cases)
- The Court of Protection Guide (created by a Member of Chambers, a fantastic and easily accessible reference guide for all things relating to CoP)
Inquests
Inquests are proceedings which seek to reach conclusions as to the circumstances of a person’s death. Members of Chambers act for a wide range of parties including families of the deceased, GPs, NHS Trusts, police forces and care homes. Some useful resources include:
- UK Inquest Law Blog (a blog run by Chambers, a brilliant resource on all areas of coronial law and practice)
- The Chief Coroner’s Guidance Sheets (too detailed for any extensive reading, but useful to peruse to see how coronial law works)
Police Law
Chambers does a significant volume of work in police law, including police misconduct claims, civil actions against the police, civil applications in the criminal courts, and work in the employment tribunal. In addition, we do a substantial amount of public and administrative law work which ensures that the police are held to the high standard befitting such an important public service. For an idea as to what this area of law involves, see:
- The UK Police Law Blog (a blog run by Chambers with many useful summaries of cases touching on important police matters)
- The Police Law on Demand Podcast (a podcast Chambers runs with solicitors from 3D Solicitors on contemporary police law issues)
- The Casey Report (for an idea as to some of the problems currently facing the police, and possible avenues of reform)
On the 27th November 2024 we held our annual Police Law Conference on ‘Misconduct, Performance, Vetting & Employment’. This involved presentations from some our Members, including on issues such as:
- Changes to the Misconduct Regime, Appeals and Judicial Review by Cecily White and Dijen Basu KC
- Practical and Performative Performance Processes by John Beggs KC and Elliot Gold
- Police Vetting by James Berry and Chloe Hill
- Proceeds of Crime, Freezing and Forfeiture: Purpose, Evidence and Strategy by Sarah Clarke KC and Aaron Rathmell
- How to Prepare to Defend Big Discrimination and Whistleblowing Claims by Angus Moon KC and Katherine Hampshire
- General Update on Civil Law and Inquests by Gerry Boyle KC
