Fancy donning the expensive horsehair wig and black gown to represent clients in court and give legal advice to professionals employed in law-related posts? You'll be in a position of great responsibility and trusted to win highly stressful cases on behalf of your client in often highly charged courtrooms.
Who can I work for?
You'll be self-employed – this sets you apart from solicitors, who are either employed by a firm or partners in a company. But barristers group together for economical and marketing reasons under one roof. This is called a 'Chambers'. The exception to these freelances are barristers who are employed by huge organisations and/or multinationals working to deal with in-house issues. Other large employers include the Crown Prosecution Service and the Government Legal Service.
Where and when can I work?
Flitting b
etween an office or court environment up and down the country. Hours are long. You'll have to plough through tomb-like documents so this could entail evening and weekend work.
What can I earn?
Top seniors can earn around £1million. The bad news is you'll start on little more than £10K a year, quickly rising up to £25K then typically, with experience, £100K or above.
What are the benefits?
Great salaries reflecting the responsibility of the position. Professional respect. Interesting cases and job satisfaction.
Are there chances of promotion?
Many barristers are in the job for life – after all the formal training they've had to do allied to a attractive salary. You may wish to specialise – such as property or commercial law. But your qualifications will give you great fluidity to move elsewhere, especially within the legal profession, such as joining the Government Legal Service. Or the legal nature of debating in the House of Commons may attract you to stand as a Member of Parliament. Did you know that in modern times, more than half the number of modern UK MPs have come from the legal profession?
What will I be responsible for?
- Settling legal disputes and performing mediations.
- Working closely with people involved in the law, including solicitors, to provide advice about their clients' cases.
- Choosing which cases to take on.
- Looking into previous cases to see if there are any precedents in points of law.
- Giving general legal advice.
- Preparing cases, writing legal opinions and ensuring cases are fit for court.
- Representing clients in court.
- Cross-examining witnesses in court.
- Writing regular letters to and holding regular meetings with clients to advise them how their case is going.
- Drawing up legal documents for clients.
- Keeping tabs with all the new legislation.
- Ploughing through casenotes, medical notes and police reports prepared by other professionals pertaining to your case.
What qualifications do I need?
There are three basic steps in a barrister's formal training route. 1) Academic: A law-related or academic degree of the highest order. 2) Vocational: You will immediately have to join an Inn (ie, Lincoln's Inn, Gray's Inn or Inner Temple) and complete the Bar Vocational Course. This will teach you individual skills needed, how to deal with evidence in court and how to maintain professional ethics at all times. Once finished, you will be formally 'called to the Bar' by the Inn you originally joined. Twelve qualifying sessions will also need to be finished before you've completed this stage. 3) Pupilage: A year will be spent in this training organisation. The first six months will provide you with theoretical knowledge and the chance to shadow barristers. The second six months will bring more practical involvement.
Do I need any experience?
At least one mini-pupilage – that can be done during university holidays – is recommended. You'll have a strong academic background, may wish to shadow a barrister or at least have a chat with them to get an inlaying about what their job entails.
What attributes are needed?
The logical and clinical mind of a surgeon. Great public speaking and interpersonal skills. Confidence, tact, a Stakhanovite workrate. The ability to detach yourself from cases, while seem remaining empathic to your client and their needs. Great attention to detail and ability to stay calm under pressure. The ability to explain complex legal jargon in clear, concise terms to your clients and any juries. Superb advocacy, literacy skills and good theatrical timing in court to emphasis the merits of your case – as with acting, a pronounced silence can speak 1,000 words. Great negotiating, conference and research skills.