Barrister
Specialist advocates who represent clients in court, draft legal opinions, and provide expert advice on complex points of law.
Overview
Barristers (also called 'counsel') are specialist legal advisers and courtroom advocates. There are approximately 17,000 practising barristers in England & Wales, regulated by the Bar Standards Board (BSB). Most are self-employed, working from sets of 'chambers' that share clerks and administrative support.
The barrister's traditional role is advocacy — presenting cases in court, cross-examining witnesses, and making legal arguments before judges. However, modern barristers also do substantial advisory work: drafting legal opinions, reviewing evidence, and advising solicitors and clients on complex legal points.
Barristers operate under the 'cab rank rule', meaning they must accept any case in their area of expertise if they are available and the client can pay a reasonable fee. This ensures access to justice and prevents barristers from cherry-picking only popular or lucrative cases.
The path to becoming a barrister is highly competitive. Only around 20% of those who complete the Bar course secure pupillage (the practical training year), making it one of the most selective professions in the UK.
Day-to-Day Work
- Preparing written arguments (skeleton arguments) for court hearings
- Appearing in court to advocate on behalf of clients
- Cross-examining witnesses during trials
- Drafting legal opinions and advising solicitors
- Reviewing case papers and evidence bundles
- Attending conferences with solicitors and clients
- Conducting legal research on complex or novel points of law
- Negotiating settlements at court doors
How to Qualify
Complete an undergraduate degree (minimum 2:2, though 2:1 or First expected in practice), then either a law conversion course (GDL/PGDL) if non-law graduate, followed by the Bar Training Course (BTC, formerly BPTC). Pass the BTC assessments, then secure a 12-month pupillage at a set of chambers. After pupillage, apply for tenancy (a permanent place in chambers) or seek employment as an employed barrister.
Undergraduate degree
Law degree or any degree plus the GDL/PGDL conversion.
GDL/PGDL (if non-law)
Graduate Diploma in Law — intensive conversion course covering core legal subjects.
Bar Training Course
Vocational training covering advocacy, opinion writing, drafting, conferencing, and ethics.
Pupillage (first six)
Shadow an experienced barrister (your 'pupil supervisor'), observing and assisting with cases.
Pupillage (second six)
Begin accepting your own briefs and appearing in court, under supervision.
Tenancy
Secure a permanent place in chambers as a self-employed barrister.
Typical Costs
Salary Ranges
Key Skills
Pros & Cons
Advantages
- Intellectually demanding and varied work
- Courtroom advocacy is exciting and rewarding
- Self-employed — flexibility over your practice
- High earning potential at the commercial Bar
- Prestigious profession with strong traditions
- Independence — you are your own boss
Disadvantages
- Extremely competitive — only ~20% of BTC graduates get pupillage
- Income can be unpredictable, especially in early years
- Self-employed means no sick pay, pension, or job security
- Can involve significant travel (circuit work)
- Emotionally demanding, especially in criminal and family work
- High cost of training with no guarantee of success
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The critical early years of a barrister's career, from pupillage through to establishing a practice as a junior tenant in chambers.
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Last updated: 2025-03-01