Barrister

Typical Salary

£12,000 To £250,000

Typical Hours

36 to 38 a week

evenings / weekends

How To Become a Barrister

You can get into this job through:

a university course
working towards this role

College / University

You could:

do a law degree
do a non-law degree followed by the Graduate Diploma in Law

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

You could start your career by working in a law firm or the law department of an organisation.

With support from your employer, you could complete a qualification like the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Solicitors can apply to become barristers by approval of the Bar Standards Board and sitting a Bar Transfer Test.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
knowledge of English language
excellent verbal communication skills
active listening skills
analytical thinking skills
the ability to read English
to be thorough and pay attention to detail
the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties could include:

having meetings with clients and taking on cases (briefs)
researching the law relating to previous similar cases
reading witness statements and reports
offering advice and providing written legal opinion
negotiating settlements out of court
preparing legal arguments and getting briefs ready for court
cross-examining witnesses and presenting the case to the judge and jury
summing up the case

Working Environment

You could work in a court, at chambers or in an office.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career Path & Progression

With experience you could find employment with firms supplying legal services in commerce, finance or industry. You could lead a team or move into general management.

You could also apply to become a Queen's Counsel (QC), a judge or an ombudsman.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Professional and industry bodies

You could join The Bar Council, for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a barrister from The Bar Council and All About Law.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass background checks