Becoming a Barrister

Deciding to pursue a career at the Bar is a major decision because of the related implications. It therefore requires an informed decision. 

For many years the UKLSA has provided support to all those wishing to become barristers, including through advice; networking opportunities; work experience at the UKLSA, in chambers, in law firms and with judges; training; and international collaborations. As the UKLSA has shifted focus to other activies, here we answer most common questions we have received over the years. 

Q: How do the subjective criteria for entry affect me?

A: They mean that many factors, beyond your intelligence and performance in education, can enhacne or reduce your chances of success.

Qualifying as a barrister in England and Wales is different from qualifying in other places such as the United States. In the US, you can qualify if you perform well in assessments, and therefore on quantifiable criteria. In England and Wales, that is not the case. The most important stage for qualification – the one for which you do not need to pay – is not based on quantifiable criteria – your performance does not guarantee you entry. There are many factors that could affect your entry.

Q: If I am not from a standard background, what should I bring to the Bar to increase my chances of qualifying?

A: Chambers are a business. They therefore need clients to survive, and good clients to do well. As the result they may have to consider how likely it is that you will be a sought after advocate by their clientele? Factors at play here would be whether the clientele's characteristics match those of your own. Other factors can be whether you already have clients, or have high chances of attracting desired clients. 

They will also have to work with you every day. And so, considering there is abundant choice of applicants with good grades, one can expect that Chambers to opt for those with whom they share similar characteristics. These are well-known psychological phenomena. 

Q: Should I complete the Bar course if I don't have a standard background?

A: The answer to this question depends on many factors, such as your income, your other options, and why do you like to be a barrister?

The Bar course is expensive, and it might make it more difficult for you to secure alternative opportunities. It may also reduce your negotiating power. However, it might work well if you have already secured the position elsewhere, and you need the Bar course for that position.

For example, some of our member took the Bar course after they have secured a position in the business world, for example as an in-house legal specialist / Company Secretary or Assistant Company Secretary.

You will also have to factor in that numerous people get called to the Bar, but the qualifying places our extremely limited – there are very few pupilage opportunities. And, as each your passes, the number of competitors increases, further reducing one’s chances of qualifying.

One should also consider implications for mental health.

Knowledge of the law is not sufficient  

Law degrees and the Bar training generally entail learning about the law and its applications. Knowledge on other essential elements, such as human behaviour including free will, human memory and biases - is not part of the curriculum. While knowledge of the law and its applications is an essential component of the knowledge required to becoming a good lawyer, it is not sufficient, including because laws, being created (not real), do not equip you with real knowledge - knowledge that can be useful in understanding essential components of the justice system. For example, knowledge of laws will not provide you with an understanding of how the legal system works, or psychological/mind realities interfering with the justice process. To become a good lawyer you will need to gain knowledge in other areas of life, and particularly in those most relevant, such as Psychology and Genetics (read more here...).

Self-employed barristers are generally instructed by solicitors, however direct access is becoming more widely available and members of the public may instruct certain barristers directly. Self-employed barristers join chambers to which they pay rent for their office space and other administrative services. Employed or in-house barrister work for government departments or agencies such as the Crown Prosecution Service, law firms and other large companies.

The rules of the Bar training and qualifying as a barrister are continuously changing.  Find out more here.  In the same way the rules of pupillage training are changing. Read more here.

Routes to becoming a practising barrister

Cross-qualifying / Qualifying from Overseas

Cross-qualifying form overseas is possible depending on where you are qualified. The route, price etc. depend on your circumstances.  Click here for more information.

Joining chambers as a Foreign Lawyer

You can also join a set of chambers as a foreign lawyer. Requirement are insurance and the Head of Chambers need to notify the BSB also confirming undertaking by foreign lawyer to conform with BSB regulations. Barrister Job Sites

• The Bar Council: http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/
• Which Inn of Court? The Inns of Court Compared: http://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/the-bar/the-inns-of-court-compared
• Inner Temple: http://www.innertemple.org.uk/
• Middle Temple: http://www.middletemple.org.uk/
• Gray’s Inn: https://www.graysinn.org.uk/
• Lincoln’s Inn: http://www.lincolnsinn.org.uk/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/
• Prospects: http://www.prospects.ac.uk/

Which Inn of Court?

Inns of court have some differences which are best explored by visiting the Inns of Court and doing some general research. These differences, however, are unlikely to make any difference in relation to qualifying as a barrister, unless special circumstances apply. Click Inns of Court Compared for more information.

Further selected information on Careers

Pre-University

• Sutton Trust Pathways to Law ⇒ Aims to improve social mobility through education: http://www.suttontrust.com/
• Legal Apprenticeships programmes ⇒ If you are a young person with good GCSEs or A Levels, legal apprenticeship schemes may offer an alternative to studying law at university, for more info see: eg. http://lexlaw.co.uk/careers/legal-apprentices/
• Social Mobility Foundation ⇒ Aims to make a practical improvement in social mobility for young people from low-income backgrounds: http://www.socialmobility.org.uk/
• Social Mobility Ambassadors ⇒ Selected to share their experience of entering the profession, including the challenges they faced and how they overcame them, for more information see: https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/law-careers/social-mobility-ambassadors/

Undergraduate – work experience and internships

• TARGETjobs ⇒ Find graduate jobs by searching different industry sectors: https://targetjobs.co.uk/
• AllAboutLaw ⇒ Law jobs, courses & advice all in one place: http://allaboutlaw.co.uk/
• AllAboutCareers ⇒ Career exploration, jobs & advice: http://www.allaboutcareers.com/
• Grad dairy ⇒ Features the largest database of graduate jobs in the UK for sectors including banking, accounting, law, consultancy and finance. They offer a completely free online resource helping students apply for graduate jobs: http://www.graddiary.com/
• Bright Network ⇒ Be part of the exclusive careers network just for Times Top 20 & Russell Group students: http://www.brightnetwork.co.uk/
• Aspiring Solicitors ⇒ This organisation is committed to increasing diversity in the legal profession, for more information: https://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/
• Law firm websites ⇒ first year insight schemes, vacation schemes and training contracts
• Barrister Chambers websites ⇒ mini pupillages/pupillages

Paralegal Job Sites

• Institute of Paralegals ⇒ Their role as the representative body for paralegals is not to sell expensive training, but instead to help people who want to become professional paralegals with a serious legal career. They identify, verify and certify professional paralegals so that their experience and expertise will be recognised by clients, employers, other legal professionals and government: http://www.theiop.org/

• National Association of Licenced Paralegals ⇒ ALP is a non-profit Membership Body as well as being the only Paralegal body that is recognised as an awarding organisation by Ofqual (the regulator of qualifications in England & Wales). Through its training arm, NALP Training, accredited recognised professional paralegal qualifications are offered for a career as a paralegal professional: http://www.nationalparalegals.co.uk/

• Paralegal vacancies are generally not well advertised so a good approach is to submit your CV to firms or organisations which you are interested in working for