The traditional Chancery versus commercial divide is narrower than ever – meaning research into each chambers is essential to understand their specialisms, says Dominic Carman
Young barristers used to start out by going to a court they couldn’t find, for a case that didn’t matter, for a fee they never got – or so distinguished grandees at the Bar might tell you. But in modern commercial disputes, courts are usually easy to find, cases frequently matter a great deal and solicitors generally pay on time. Perhaps more pressing issues for today’s law student-turned-aspirant barrister with a head for figures are a) understanding the diminishing difference between Chancery and commercial work and b) deciding whether or not to specialise.
