Barrister

As a barrister, you'll act in your client's interests, whether advising on legal matters, negotiating settlements or presenting arguments in court. Barristers are generally instructed by solicitors and their work can involve:

• researching legal issues
• preparing arguments and drafting legal documents
• presenting cases in court.

Members of the public can also instruct authorised barristers directly, without going through a solicitor.

Most barristers are self-employed and work from offices known as chambers, where they share administrative services and costs with other barristers while running their own practices. Others are employed by organisations such as government departments, businesses and charities.

In Scotland, advocates have a comparable role and have rights of audience in all Scottish courts.

Areas of law

You'll usually specialise in a particular area of law such as:

• chancery law - including trusts, probate and business disputes
• civil liberties and human rights law
• commercial law
• criminal law
• employment law
• environmental law
• family law
• immigration and asylum law
• intellectual property law
• personal injury and clinical negligence law.

What does a barrister do?

Your work activities will depend on the area of law you practise. For example, criminal barristers typically spend more time presenting cases in court, while those specialising in chancery law may spend more time providing legal advice and drafting documents. Family law barristers often combine court appearances with advising clients and negotiating agreements to resolve disputes.

Depending on your specialism, you may need to:

• advise clients and solicitors on legal matters, evidence and the strengths and weaknesses of a case
• analyse and interpret legislation, case law and other legal information
• draft legal documents, including written legal advice and arguments for court
• examine and cross-examine witnesses in court
• manage case papers and other legal documents
• negotiate settlements and help resolve disputes outside court
• prepare cases for court, including meeting clients and developing legal arguments
• present legal arguments and represent clients in courts and tribunals
• research relevant laws, legal precedents and court decisions
• summarise evidence and present closing arguments in court.

Employed barristers undertake similar activities but work for an organisation, such as a government department, law firm or business. Depending on their role and level of seniority, they may also contribute to legal policy and strategy.

Self-employed barristers also contribute to the running of their chambers, although their involvement in recruitment, training and management will vary.

Barrister salaries

• The Bar Standards Board sets a minimum annual award for pupillage of £25,863 in London and £23,504 outside London (2026 rates). However, some chambers offer substantially more, with awards at leading commercial sets reaching £90,000 or more.
• Self-employed barristers can earn gross annual fees (before tax and expenses) of around £60,000 to £250,000 or more, although some earn considerably less. Earnings in commercial law, for example, are generally higher than those in criminal or family law.
• Employed barristers can earn between £30,000 and £150,000 or more a year, depending on their employer, experience and level of responsibility.

Income can be relatively low in the early stages of self-employment and payment for completed work may be delayed. You'll also need to cover expenses such as chambers fees, insurance and travel, as well as making your own tax and pension arrangements.

Research by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has also found persistent differences in earnings by gender and ethnicity.

Income figures are intended as a guide only.

What hours do barristers work?

While courts generally sit during regular daytime hours, barristers may work long hours, including evenings and weekends, to prepare cases and meet deadlines.

Working patterns vary depending on the area of law and whether you're self-employed or employed. The workload can be particularly demanding for self-employed barristers in the early stages of their career as they establish their practice.

How do I become a barrister?

To qualify as a barrister in England and Wales, you must complete three components of training:

• academic
• vocational
• pupillage or work-based learning.

Academic component

You'll need at least a 2:2 undergraduate degree, which can be in any subject. If you have a non-law degree, your law degree didn't cover the required areas of legal knowledge or more than five years have passed since you completed the academic component, you'll normally need to complete a law conversion course.

Your law degree or conversion course must cover the seven foundations of legal knowledge, including criminal law, contract law and public law.

Vocational component

You'll then complete an approved Bar training course to develop the specialist legal knowledge and practical skills needed to become a barrister. Course length and formats vary. See the BSB's list of Authorised Education and Training Organisations for approved providers.

Courses include assessments set by your training provider and centralised examinations set and marked by the BSB. You'll also need to be fluent in English.

Before starting your vocational training, you'll need to join one of the four Inns of Court:

• Gray's Inn
• The Inner Temple
• Lincoln's Inn
• Middle Temple

The Inns provide professional support and training, as well as scholarships to help with the cost of Bar training. Check their websites for funding opportunities and deadlines.

You'll also need to complete ten qualifying sessions with your Inn, covering areas such as advocacy and professional ethics, before being called to the Bar. Your choice of Inn won't affect your future area of practice or where you can undertake pupillage.

Pupillage

The final stage is pupillage, usually lasting 12 months. This is divided into two six-month periods:

• the non-practising period ('first six') - you'll shadow and work with experienced barristers
• the practising period ('second six') - you'll begin taking on cases under supervision.

During pupillage, you'll also need to complete compulsory advocacy training and pass a professional ethics assessment.

You must be called to the Bar by your Inn before starting the practising period. After successfully completing pupillage, you'll need a full practising certificate to practise independently.

Pupillage is highly competitive, so strong academic results, relevant experience and evidence of your suitability for the profession are important. Vacancies are typically advertised 12 to 18 months in advance on the Pupillage Gateway, although some chambers require direct applications. Check the Gateway for vacancies and recruitment deadlines.

Apprenticeships

A Level 7 apprenticeship route to becoming a barrister has been approved. See the BSB's apprenticeship guidance for updates.

Qualifying in Scotland and Northern Ireland

In Scotland, the equivalent role is an advocate. The usual route involves a degree in Scottish law, a Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, legal training and professional examinations, followed by nine months of practical training known as 'devilling'. See the Faculty of Advocates for entry requirements and alternative routes.

In Northern Ireland, the usual route involves completing a qualifying law degree, followed by the Bar Postgraduate Diploma, which is delivered by the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS). After being called to the Bar, you'll complete a 12-month pupillage. See The Bar of Northern Ireland for further information.

Learn more about how to become a lawyer.

What skills does a barrister need?

You'll need:

• advocacy (speaking on behalf of others) and public speaking skills to present persuasive arguments in court
• analytical, research and problem-solving skills to interpret complex legal information, assess evidence and develop arguments
• attention to detail to examine evidence carefully and prepare accurate legal documents.
• interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships with clients, solicitors and other professionals, and explain complex legal issues clearly
• organisation and time management skills to manage demanding workloads, balance competing cases and meet deadlines
• sound judgement and professional integrity to make ethical decisions and meet your duties to clients and the court
• written communication skills to draft clear legal advice, arguments and other documents.

Legal work experience

Relevant work experience is essential when applying for pupillage. Legal experience is particularly valuable, especially a mini-pupillage - a short period of work experience and shadowing, usually lasting a few days, at a set of chambers or another organisation employing barristers.

Search for mini-pupillages using LawCareers.Net, selecting the 'Mini-pupillages offered' filter. Check individual chambers' websites for the latest application details and deadlines.

Other relevant work experience includes:

• marshalling - shadowing a judge in court to gain an insight into legal proceedings
• paid legal work - for example, working as a paralegal in a solicitor's firm
• pro bono work - volunteering with organisations such as Citizens Advice or the Free Representation Unit
• public speaking - through university debating or mooting societies, where you practise presenting legal arguments
• university law clinics - gaining practical experience of legal research and providing advice under supervision.

Experience outside the legal sector, such as part-time work or volunteering, can also be valuable. Whatever experience you undertake, be prepared to explain how you've developed transferable skills relevant to a career at the Bar, such as communication, problem-solving and working under pressure.

For more information see law work experience.

Who employs barristers?

There are more than 18,000 practising barristers in England and Wales (BSB). Around 80% are self-employed, typically becoming tenants in a set of chambers.

As independent practitioners, self-employed barristers generally receive instructions from solicitors, either through chambers' clerks or through professional contacts. They may also be instructed directly by members of the public.

Employed barristers work for a range of employers and organisations, including:

• armed forces legal services
• charities
• Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
• Government Legal Profession (GLP)
• local government and other public sector bodies
• private companies such as banks
• regulatory bodies
• solicitors' firms and other law firms.

A small number of barristers work as sole practitioners or in a dual capacity, undertaking both employed and self-employed work.

Look for job vacancies at:

• Bar Council - Probationary tenancy vacancies - for opportunities to gain further experience after pupillage if you haven't secured a tenancy.
• Civil Service Jobs - for employed barrister roles in government.
• Counsel magazine - for employed barrister roles and tenancy opportunities.
• Pupillage Gateway

Where can a career as a barrister lead?

After completing pupillage, you can apply for tenancy (a permanent place) in chambers or take up an employed barrister role. If you don't secure tenancy immediately, you may be able to undertake a probationary tenancy (known as a 'third six') or a fixed-term position at another set of chambers.

As you gain experience, you'll typically take on more complex cases and develop expertise in your chosen area of law. If you're self-employed, career progression involves building your reputation and developing a network of solicitors and clients who regularly instruct you. At the employed Bar, you may progress into senior legal, management or leadership roles.

Experienced barristers at both the employed and self-employed Bar can apply to become King's Counsel (KC), commonly known as 'taking silk'. This usually follows many years of practice and reflects outstanding ability as an advocate. You may also have opportunities to move into the judiciary, for example as a recorder or judge, subject to meeting the relevant eligibility requirements.

Continuing professional development (CPD) is compulsory throughout your career, helping you maintain and develop your legal knowledge and professional skills. Under the New Practitioners Programme, you'll need to complete at least 45 hours of CPD over three calendar years, including at least nine hours of advocacy training and three hours of ethics.

After this, you'll follow the Established Practitioners Programme, setting annual learning objectives, undertaking relevant activities and reflecting on your development. These may include courses, conferences, seminars, research and teaching. See the Bar Standards Board's CPD guidance for more information.