Barristers

WHAT IS A BARRISTER?

Barristers are legal professionals who provide expert legal advice and advocacy to solicitors and clients. Members of the public seek solicitors primarily for advice and seek barristers to provide court representation.

As a barrister, alongside providing legal advice to solicitors and clients, you will conduct research, prepare cases and legal documents. The nature of being a barrister requires liaising with other legal professionals and clients in bringing a defence forward to court. You may also need to cross-examine, study evidence, and draw your own conclusions.

Though long hours, heavy workloads and tight deadlines may be commonplace due to constraints, there are many benefits such as being self-employed and a higher wage. You may shape your own career path, choosing a speciality such as taking the Silk to become a QC.

WHAT DO I NEED TO BECOME A BARRISTER?

qualifyingasabarrister500x1490.jpg

  • Academic Stage

    • Complete an undergraduate Law degree or a non-Law degree with a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).

  • Vocational Stage

    • Enrol in one of the four Inns of Court: Lincoln’s Inn, Grays Inn, Middle Temple, or Inner Temple.

    • Have passed the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT), the summer before you begin your Bar Course.

    • The Bar Course also includes 12 vocational qualifying sessions with your chosen Inn.

      • Some modules (sessions) include Advocacy, Civil Litigation & Evidence, Criminal Litigation and Evidence & Sentencing.

    • Once the qualifying sessions are completed, you can be then Called to the Bar by your Inn. Note that you can complete the first six months of your Pupillage before being Called to the Bar but you cannot finish the final six months until you are called.

  • Work-based Learning or Pupillage Stage

    • Consists of a period of work-based practical training under the supervision of an experienced Barrister; known as a Pupillage.

    • Obtaining a Pupillage is very competitive and demanding, note the likelihood of achieving a pupillage via the Pupillage Gateway.

ADVICE

  • The path to becoming a barrister is not easy. It would be a lie to say that it is not very challenging and competitive all the way through. Like any competitive job, more than just a degree is considered in an application. Therefore, to stand the best chance in an application or interview, you should strive to have as much experience (legal if possible) as you can to make you an attractive candidate for a pupillage or other work-based experience.

  • Other than achieving a decent grade other things you can do include participating in advocacy competitions like mooting or negotiation, taking part in Pro Bono opportunities (very valuable) or applying to mini-pupillages. Notably, the list is not substantive. In truth, any legal experience is a good experience and should be used to show your ability.

APPLICATIONS

  • Applications for pupillages are mostly found using the Pupillage Gateway system. Other applications for Bar Courses can be found through different providers.

  • For mini-pupillages and other work-based experience. Applications are competitive and great consideration should be given to them. There are many examples found online of what to do (Including CVs/covering letters and applications) found here.

 

INNS OF COURTS

  • There are four Inns of Court in England and Wales. These are Lincoln’s Inn, Greys Inn, Middle Temple and Inner Temple all located in London.

  • In order to become a barrister, you must be a member of one of them. During the vocational stage, you will receive support when undertaking a Bar Course such as through scholarships and networking opportunities.

  • When joining an Inn, applications must be made before the 31st of May the year you will undertake your Bar Course (often at the end of your final year).

  • For further advice, more information can be found online and here.

 

PUPILLAGES

  • Pupillages are the final stage of your training to become a Barrister after you complete a Bar Course. They are work-based under the supervision of an experienced Barrister either at Chambers or in-house at a organisation. Normally lasting one year, you can expect two stages (a non-practising and practising period), in which you will put to use everything you’ve learnt from your undergraduate and vocational training.

  • When applying for a pupillage expect a rigorous application period as places are sparse and competition is high. Moreover, the Pupillage Gateway allows only 20 applications a year. Achieving a pupillage is a monumental success, but it should be noted if you don’t get in straight away, use it as an opportunity to reflect and learn.

  • Applications should be given one to two years in advance, usually during the final year of your degree or during your GDL. This should be submitted from January to February, deadlines can be found here.

  • When choosing where to practise your Pupillage you should consider the chambers or organisation you are applying to, the location, their clients, their influence, and practise area they may specialise in. After you complete your Pupillage, you will become a fully qualified Barrister by the Bar Standards Board!

BARRISTERS’ REPRESENTATIVE

Ella Bailey – eb418@student.le.ac.uk