Emily Windsor outlines her path to flexibility in the legal profession.
Few professions balance tradition and modern adaptability as effectively as the bar, a balance that barrister Emily Windsor understands all too well through her work and contributions to the field.
A defining feature of her career is the co-authorship of Muir Watt & Moss on Agricultural Holdings, a seminal text in continuous publication for over a century that remains a cornerstone for practitioners advising on agricultural tenancies. “It’s a title which has now been in existence for over 100 years, so we’re very much the custodians of it,” she explains.
Working alongside five other barristers from her chambers, she takes responsibility for updating two chapters focused on succession upon death and retirement, which are pivotal aspects of agricultural tenancy law. Regular updates ensure that the work remains not only relevant but indispensable to legal professionals.
The collaborative process reflects a growing trend within the bar: the recognition of teamwork and shared expertise as foundational to legal practice. Whereas barristers were historically perceived as solitary figures, Windsor’s work demonstrates that modern practice often necessitates cooperation and cross-specialisation. Such contributions have also enriched her own legal acumen. “Writing a book makes you research everything in great detail,” she says. “It definitely ensures that you’re on top of your game.”
Technology and Flexibility
Having practised at the bar since the mid-1990s, Emily Windsor has both observed and embraced the profound transformations within the profession. In particular, technological advances have revolutionised how barristers work, offering unprecedented flexibility and enabling practitioners to adapt their careers to individual circumstances without compromising professional standards.
“Thirty years ago, our diaries were paper diaries,” she recalls. “To know what you had the next day, you had to go down to the clerk’s room and look at the diary.” Such recollections underline how far the profession has come.
Today, digital access to case law, legal textbooks, and client materials means that barristers can carry their practice with them wherever they go. Platforms like the online database Westlaw have “breathed a new lease of life into textbooks” by enabling practitioners to “dip into specialist works at no extra cost” with the click of a button.
This shift has had a particularly profound impact on women at the bar, many of whom seek greater flexibility to accommodate family life. “Technology really helps,” Windsor observes. “It’s perfectly possible to work from home for a week at a time while still meeting the demands of a busy practice.”
The newfound flexibility within the profession has extended its reach to individuals who might once have been dissuaded by its historically rigid structures, while simultaneously highlighting the enduring necessity of unwavering self-discipline. As Windsor notes, “You never really switch off from your cases when working remotely.”
Emily Windsor: ‘More Work To Be Done’
The evolution of the bar’s culture toward greater support and inclusivity, particularly for women and underrepresented groups, is vividly reflected in Emily Windsor’s experience. Reflecting on her own career, she notes that she has always felt “encouraged and supported” by her chambers, Falcon Chambers, which she describes as a “friendly and supportive set where most people choose to stay their entire career.” Such an environment, she argues, has been integral to her professional satisfaction and longevity.
This sense of support extends to mentoring the next generation of barristers — an aspect of her career that she holds in high regard. Recalling the generosity of a barrister who hosted her for work experience during her teenage years, Windsor says, “I remember even now how very generous they were with their time.”
Inspired by this example, she has made it a personal priority to mentor aspiring barristers, offering perceptions, advice, and encouragement. “It’s really lovely when you see someone you spoke to as a teenager go on to have a fantastic career,” she says.
Emily Windsor also acknowledges the structural changes that have improved access to the bar for underrepresented groups. She points to initiatives such as the Sutton Trust’s work experience schemes and the reforms to the qualification process, which have made the bar more accessible and affordable. Nonetheless, she concedes that there is still “more work to be done,” particularly when it comes to retaining talented individuals who may face dilemmas balancing work and life commitments.
