For International Women’s Day, Alyssa Stansbury reflects on a decade of One Essex Court’s initiatives to encourage more women to apply to the commercial bar – and on a recent success.
This time ten years ago, I was in the midst of my pupillage applications. One of the main things I looked for in deciding where to apply was where I thought would be a supportive place to practice as a woman. I was particularly impressed by OEC, which had a strong women’s network in chambers and a clear emphasis on encouraging women to apply.
When I arrived at OEC, I was not disappointed. There are fantastic social and networking opportunities for women in chambers, and a great feeling of mutual support and encouragement.
Soon after joining, I became involved in our initiatives to encourage more women to consider a career at the commercial bar. Over the years, we have hosted open days, panel discussions mentoring schemes, career clinics and workshops focussed on all aspects of the pupillage application process.
This academic year, as well as our popular workshops, we held our inaugural women’s moot. It was an incredible success.
Over 70 teams entered, with the top 18 teams being invited to attend the moot competition day in December 2025. The teams, comprising 39 female mooters from a wide range of institutions, prepared to argue two commercial law moot problems, and spent a day with us mooting, meeting members of OEC and attending panels on life as a woman at the commercial bar. We then moved to the Royal Courts of Justice, where the grand final was judged by Lady Justice Cockerill.
The members of OEC who judged and watched the moots were all very impressed with the standard of mooting, especially for some mooting for the first time, and the commitment and effort put in by all of the students.
The mooters enjoyed the opportunity to engage deeply with commercial law issues and improve their advocacy, and many commented on how they enjoyed the rare opportunity to be in a room full of other female students interested in the commercial bar.
For me personally, it was an amazing moment to see the moot final take place in a court room full of women, a sight at present all too rare but which gave me a glimpse into what I hope the future will hold.
