New pupils Leah Arthur and Harry Thomas join 5 Essex Chambers

Chambers is delighted to welcome two new pupils, Leah Arthur and Harry Thomas, as they commence a 12-month pupillage at 5 Essex Chambers today.

Prior to pupillage, Leah was a Senior Paralegal at a law firm predominantly working on high-profile public inquiries and police work. She also volunteered at the South Westminster Legal Advice Centre which provides free legal advice to members of the public. During the Bar Course, Leah acted as the Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Officer for the Middle Temple Students’ Association and provided pro bono legal advice to prisoners through the Intervene Project.

Prior to pupillage, Harry served in the UK Armed Forces for eleven years, the majority of which was spent leading specialised teams on global operations. During his legal studies he worked part-time for a national security venture capital fund. He represented appellants in Social Security Tribunals through the Free Representation Unit (FRU) and served as a subject matter expert to a major public inquiry.

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

Jason Beer KC, Head of Chambers comments, “We are very pleased that Leah and Harry have chosen to undertake their pupillages with 5 Essex.  They both enjoy excellent academic backgrounds, and rich – but different – life experiences before coming to the Bar.  I very much look forward to seeing them flourish during their pupillages.”.