Ben Rigby profiles 10 of the most acclaimed young barristers making their mark in a fiercely competitive arena

The challenges facing the young Bar as a whole are particularly acute this year, and the commercial and Chancery Bar are well aware of it. In a rapidly changing commercial environment, they must win the trust of law firms – and fast. Another of the most important relationships that junior barristers must sustain is the one with their clerks.

Brian Lee, senior clerk of 20 Essex Street, is chairman of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks. To him, the essentials for junior barristers are to be "flexible, receptive and aware of the needs and expectations of a client", adding: "Impossible deadlines and unreasonable requests, especially when you are in court, just have to be met. A junior barrister of today has to be incredibly bright and receptive, and stand out from the crowd. If he or she does not, their practice will not get off the ground."