New pupils Kian Leong Tan and Joseph Hanlon join 5 Essex Chambers

Chambers is delighted to welcome two new pupils, Kian Leong (KL) Tan and Joseph Hanlon, as they commence their 12-month pupillage at 5 Essex Chambers today.

Prior to pupillage, KL worked as a paralegal at a leading London common law set and later as a Judicial Assistant at the High Court in London. As a volunteer with the Free Representation Unit and the Cleaners and Allied Workers’ Independent Union, KL has represented individuals in welfare benefits tribunal appeals and employment grievance meetings. He is also a qualified Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya (2026).

Prior to pupillage and alongside his Bar Course studies, Joseph was a Visiting Lecturer at City University, teaching EU Law and Foundations of Legal Analysis on the LLB course. During his GDL, Joseph worked with the charity Vocalise, which delivers debating and public speaking courses for prisoners in London. He was part of the first ever team to teach a debating course at HMP Belmarsh. He has also volunteered with Belmarsh’s Family Visits Team.

Both pupils will be acquiring experience across Chambers’ core practice areas.

Jason Beer KC, Head of Chambers comments, “ The breadth and diversity of experience that KL and Joseph bring to their pupillages will serve them well as they begin the next chapter of their careers.  They are both seriously impressive individuals – I look forward to seeing them grow still further over the next 12 month.  We are very fortunate to have them.”