The job and what it involves
Barristers are specialist legal advisors and court room advocates. Their work includes understanding and interpreting laws and managing legal cases. They also prepare cases for court and present arguments there. Barristers will examine and cross-examine witnesses, advise on matters of law and evidence and negotiate settlements. They also contribute collectively to the running and organisation of chambers and may be involved in the recruitment of pupils.
The main areas of work
Barristers can be easily divided into those who are self-employed and employed.
Employed barristers work for the same company or client and are given cases by them. At more senior levels they may become involved with the development of legal strategy.
Self-employed Barristers will gain cases due to referral through reputation and word-of-mouth. Often they will work in chambers and pay as tenants to share buildings, facilities and clerks. Most work will come to self-employed barristers through networking with solicitors and senior barristers.
When you become a barrister you can specialise in different branches of law, you may work in family, criminal or environmental law and will have to have specific knowledge and experience in your area.
Qualities required
Skills of public speaking will be very important when working in court. Additionally being organised and having good time management will be important to meet deadlines. Being analytical and having attention to detail is important for any career in law.
Good skills of communication will also be important as you will be working with a team of professionals and clients.
Qualifications
A career as a barrister is open to graduates of any subject. After taking a graduate degree you can undertake a law- conversion course or you can study law initially at undergraduate level. You then can take a Bar Professional Training Course, a highly competitive degree which can a year full-time or two years part-time to complete. After this course you can apply for a pupilage, which all new barristers must take for at least 12 months. In order to keep up with updated laws and to polish their skills, most barristers complete continuing professional development (CPD) during the course of their career.
Route to success
Having work experience in a law firm will be useful to get more information about the day-to-day workings of a barrister. As a member of the public you can sit in on court cases, you will just have to research how your local courts work and may have to book in your visit. This will give you more of an insight into the legal profession.
Salary
There is a great deal of variation in the profession depending on the branch of legal work you undertake, your experience and reputation and whether you are self-employed or employed by a larger law firm.
Self employed barristers can earn anything from £19,000 to £1m every year. Whereas employed barristers salaries can vary from about £25,000 to £130,000.
On average, barristers in the UK earn about £53,000.
Star player
Cherie Blair, although her fame came primarily from being Tony Blair’s wife, is a highly acclaimed British barrister. She studied law at the London School of Economics and gained a First Class Honours. She obtained a pupilage in the chambers of Derry Irvine.
She specialises in employment, law discrimination and public law. She is a founding member of Matrix chambers in London, which specialises in human rights law; she continues to practice as a barrister there.
Useful links
For more information about a career as a barrister visit:
http://www.get.hobsons.co.uk/advice/law-barristers and http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/
For extended reading about the profession you could have a look at:
http://www.barristermagazine.com/
If you would like to undertake work experience alongside those already in the profession, you could try contacting a local barrister who you can find through the website:
http://www.findabarrister.co.uk/
Tags: barrister, careers, job profile, Students, Women in Law
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