Basic method
The database that this tool accesses contains information about approximately 1,000 junior barristers (and in some cases pupils), with a call date of 2010 or later within 215 chambers. We have looked at their educational backgrounds and ranked these according to the institutions that they received their first degrees from and whether they have any postgraduate qualifications.

This data is linked to a chambers and a rank for the chambers is derived from all the barristers in this data set that are linked to that chambers.

Because some pupils (first/second/third six) are included in this data set the results reflect the academic profiles of both junior barristers (tenants/members) and pupils - it may not match the profile of junior barristers alone.

Granualarity
The method of scoring is quite coarse. It does not, for example distinguish between a masters and a doctoral award. It also does not take into account whether the individual concerned is a cross-qualifying solicitor with 20 years experience, a barrister from outside England and Wales nor any other non-academic qualification.

Award
The award column lists the aggregate amount offered by the set. In some cases this comprises 100% award, in others it will include some award level puls guaranteed earnings. Other variants are that there is an award, no guaranteed earnings, but the pupil retains any earnings they might have, etc.

We only include definitive awards and any guaranteed earnings. We do not include speculative earnings. Please do your own research on this issue.

In some cases it has not been possible to ascertain the the awards given by a particular chambers, this is indicated by a "-".

What does "no sample data" mean?
Where there are sets listed with no sample data this usualy means that they have no pupils or junior barristers with a call of 2010 or later. On some occasions this means that the set/firm does not publish information about the barristers within its group - we have only found this in a few instances, the Government Legal Service, Crown Prosecution Service and a few firms that seem to be some form of ABS (for example, mixed solicitors and barristers).

BPTC/GDL
We do not rank individuals on whether or not they have a qualifying law degree or have completed the academic stage via a GDL. No ranking weight is placed upon where GDLs or BPTC courses were completed.

First degree
First degree means the institution from which you received your first degree. If you did history at Kingston and later did an LLB at City, then your first degree is from Kingston.

Degree class
We are not ranking chambers based on degree class of juniors or pupils. It is taken for granted that they all have firsts or 2:1s.

I only have a master's
If you have a masters degree, through a course that started after your A-levels (or equivalent), and no bachelor's degree, then select the institution from which you received that award as both the "First degree" and "postgraduate award".

Can I search/sort by x?
Probably not, but use the "Contact" page to send an email and request a feature.

Is X chambers really ranked that high/low?
This is an experimental site, use your own judgement when considering how you might rank a set. If you think we have got it wrong then email us (but please tell us why).

What does "sample" mean
This is the number of barristers (and/or pupils) that we found linked to each set, that meet the selection criteria. Sometimes we find a barrister listed at more than one set, in this case we consult the BSB register to see which is regarded as the main location

Should I base my career choices on the results of my input?
No, it is just a bit of fun. Just treat the output as a little guidance on where you might do further research.

"In my zone"?
Please remember that this is an experimental tool, it does not provide any ranking information outside of a subset of educational qualifications. So, if you are lucky enough to find a few sets whose academic profile you seem to meet, please do the extra research to see what other factors may be involved in securing a pupillage at that chambers.