[2] Traditionally referred to as "the Law's Middlemen", clerks possess a unique skill set and fulfill a role in which they are considered to be experts in their own right.
[3] Barristers employ clerks to organise their bookings, manage their practices, develop relationships with clients, negotiate fees, and assist with accounting services.
A barristers' clerk requires a combination of commercial acumen, legal knowledge, and strong interpersonal skills.
The term "clerk" is historical and does not accurately reflect the co-ordination of workload, marketing, and financial management undertaken.
Generally, a junior barristers' clerk acts as an assistant to other senior and more experienced staff, increasingly assuming more responsibility over a period of time, including the allocation of briefs and negotiation of fees.
Depending on the size of chambers and the available staff resources, the typical responsibilities of a junior barristers' clerk will include some or all of the following: