How to Be a Barrister (UK)

Chai45

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posted on 10 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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A barrister is a lawyer who works from chambers independently and tends to handle mostly cases in court, as well as some large and often more complex advisory work in an area of specialisation. Becoming a barrister requires focusing on this pathway early in studies and getting into law studies in university. Before embarking on this path, find out what the work of a barrister involves; it may be well paid (although this is not guaranteed) but it can also be a lot of hard work.

Steps

College

Get an A Level in law. The start to any law career is studying law at A Level, to get into a degree you will need three A Levels (and possibly one AS) which include law, other subjects, such as English, may help, or other academic subjects. As you will be studying law for two years, the best thing is to do is practice and practice exam questions. AS is a lot easier than A2, therefore try to achieve full marks/high marks at AS to help at A2.

Choose, apply for and gain a place in an appropriate university. For universities, the standard entry requirements is 3 A's at A Level, including law. Two AS Levels cannot be used instead of one A Level. For more prestigious universities, the requirements will be higher.

Universities - Educational Stage

At University you will study seven subjects for three years. These will be through lectures or independent study time: Tort Contract EU Land Public Private Equity & trust.

Get a three year qualifying law degree to move onto the next stage of training. If you already have a degree in another subject but want to go into law, there is a conversion course called the Graduate Diploma in Law where you will study the same seven subjects but within one year full time.

Vocational Stage of Training

Study the Bar Professional Training course for one year. Here you will: Focus on advocacy Opinion write on cases Draft documents Learn negotiation.

During this you will have to join one of the Four Inn's of Court: Lincoln's, Gray's, Middle Temple and Inner Temple. You are required to dine there at least 12 times by the end of the course, with other barristers.

Once the course is complete, you will be called to the bar where you officially will be a barrister but cannot practice yet.

Practical Stage of Training

Find a 'pupillage' within a chambers. This is where you will work for one year and be paid for it; the training is split into two six-month periods.

For the first six months you will follow your pupil master, who will be a senior barrister, and overlook how they conduct their cases, etc. For the second six months you will conduct your own cases but still be overseen by the pupil master, who can also assist.

Career

Start your chambers. Well done! You have successfully completed all the training, now you must seek tenancy (a job) within a chambers so you can start conducting cases as a permanent member.