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Barrister
Barristers are probably best known for wearing wigs and gowns and presenting legal arguments in court. As well as court work, many barristers specialise in advising individuals, companies and a wide variety of institutions on legal documents and broader issues relating to the law. Barristers work in English and Welsh courts – the Scottish equivalents are called advocates.
Also known as:
- Counsel – advocate
Work activities
Barristers usually receive a brief from a solicitor – they are not approached directly by the client. Barristers are often asked for their opinion on complex points of law, including legal problems that do not involve court cases. Having been asked a particular question, barristers either answer using their existing knowledge, or research past cases and then come back with their opinion.
Barristers spend a large amount of time in preparation for court cases. Preparing for a case involves thorough research to become familiar with all the facts. If necessary, the barrister will meet with the client (usually with their solicitor) to clear up any particular questions or to get further information about the case. During the court proceedings, barristers present all the relevant facts to support their argument. They ask witnesses questions, hoping to get information that will support their argument in front of the court. Before the jury reaches a decision, the barrister will sum up their argument.
Early on in their careers, barristers will be able to advise on a very wide range of subjects and to present many different kinds of cases in court. As their careers progress, barristers may build up expertise in a particular area, for example, taxation, company mergers, or shipping law. The amount of time barristers spend in court depends on the particular type of case they are asked to deal with, or go on to specialise in. For example, work involving trusts may mean giving written advice and spending little time in court, while work involving personal injury, litigation or crime involves longer periods in court. The nature of a barrister’s work can involve long hours. This will sometimes include evenings and weekends.
Personal qualities and skills
To do this job well, you’ll need:
- The ability to understand and interpret complex arguments, often in a short space of time.
- Problem-solving skills and a thorough, methodical and patient approach to research.
- Excellent time-management skills.
- To be able to work well under pressure.
- Excellent people skills as you could be dealing with all types of people, including other barristers, solicitors and clients.
- To be able to present cases clearly and with confidence.
- Good number skills.
- To be able to draft documents and write opinions in plain English.
- IT skills as you may need to use spreadsheets, financial accounting programs, email and information databases.
Independent (self-employed) barristers must be able to manage their own businesses.
Pay and opportunities
Barristers’ earnings vary widely depending on the type of legal work undertaken and the length of time they have been established. According to the National Careers Service, barristers earnings range from £17,152 to as much as £200,000 for highly experienced and senior barristers.
Barristers rely on solicitors to contact them with legal cases. Therefore, their working hours vary depending on their workload. Employed barristers work regular office hours, with extra hours depending on the demands of the post.
Although most barristers are self-employed, they don’t work alone, but usually group together in offices known as "chambers", to which they pay rent to cover the cost of the building and its staff. Once you are a tenant in chambers, your income will come entirely from the work you take on, either in your own right or, at the start of your career, when acting as the junior member of a team of barristers.
Barristers may also work for the legal section of a government department. There are also opportunities in industry, commerce and higher education.
Barristers may choose to apply to become King’s Counsel later in their career. If they are successful, they will be able to add the letters “KC” after their surname. They are able to wear a silk gown in court, for which reason they are often known as “silks”. KCs appear in the most serious and important cases.
Many barristers choose to apply to become judges later in their career; in fact, the majority of higher court judges are former barristers.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Trainee barristers apply for pupillage through the Pupillage Gateway. Application to chambers is either directly, or through an online portal.
Entry routes and training
To become a barrister, you will need to gain a law degree. If you have a degree in a different subject, you can take the Graduate Diploma in Law conversion course instead. You will then need to complete the vocational aspect of your training, before undertaking the pupillage (or work-based) component.
Pupillage is a 12-month training period for those aiming to qualify as barristers, usually spent in a barristers' chambers. It is divided into two distinct six-month periods. During the first six you will shadow the cases of an experienced barrister; in the second six you may take on work of your own.
You formally become a barrister at a special ceremony where you will be "Called to the Bar" and where you formally become a barrister (although you will not be permitted to practise until you have completed pupillage).
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act: This career is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. This means that you must supply information to an employer about any spent or unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.
Qualifications
To qualify for a law degree, you will need good grades at GCSE, including in English. You will also need two to three A-levels or equivalent.
There are no firm rules about which subjects you need to choose for A-level but it is usually better to study subjects which are more traditionally academic and which involve an element of writing, so that you can demonstrate your communication and analytical skills from an early stage. Popular examples include English and history.
Other qualifications are sometimes acceptable as alternatives to A-levels, for example Edexcel (BTEC) level 3 National qualifications or the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma.
Adult opportunities
Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.
