Written by Barristers (also called ‘wranglers’ or ‘junior barristers’) spend 4 years at a university in Certificate Course, LPC and pupillage. The total initial investment can cost £28000 to £32500.
However, they normally command the highest salaries of all types of law professionals and work in one of the most prestigious professions – what’s not to like?
Barristers spend 4 years at university then work as part-time advocates or judges as apprentice barristers before coming back to either criminal law (bar provide introductory training) or family/civil/commercial courts where they are paid using the rates for their qualification level3.
There are different type of apprenticeship available: court appointed, juvenile justice advocacy scheme and solicitor-training barr.
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Professionalism
Barrister is one of the most honorable professions and in order to become a barrister, you can do an undergraduate law degree or you can start off by doing a postgraduate law degree.
There are many online institutes which offer barrister courses so that one can learn about barristers, the legal topics and chambers. To know more about how to become a barrister, read on.
The first and foremost thing that one should keep in mind is to know all about the legal topics like tort, criminal, family law etc. It will require considerable research on all these topics before becoming a practising barrister.
Overall there are many qualifications which are required for becoming qualified as a Barrister such as you need an undergraduate law degree or instead you could commence with post graduate level of qualifications in law
Knowing more!
A barrister is a person who advises someone on law.
A barrister may advise clients in court, phone them or write to them, depending on the expertise they have been given to.
In this day and age where most lawyers are needed in court, a barrister strategy could be very valuable in legal advisors.
This article will point out this problem faced by lawyers and guide the potential professionals towards steps for becoming a barrister.
Who is a barrister?
A barrister is a legal representative that represents clients in court and is qualified by law to do so. A barrister’s main task is to represent the client’s best interest and ensure that they are given a fair trial. They often do this by cross-examining witnesses, examining evidence, and delivering summations.
Barristers have three different types of work: advocacy, advisory work, and specialist work. Advocacy has to do with the barrister representing their client’s interests in court.
Advisory work involves advising clients on legal matters such as making arangements for a will or real estate transaction. And specialist work is about applying skills outside of the law field for example becoming a notary public or being an arbitrator or mediator.
What you don’t know!
The profession of barrister is very different in the US and UK. In the US, a barrister is an advocate or lawyer who represents clients in courts. However, in the UK, they are lawyers who are qualified to plead cases at both criminal law and civil law bar.
In simple terms, a barrister is usually referred to as “senior counsel” or “counsel” from the Latin word ‘counsilor’ meaning “one who advises”.
Definition: Barrister
A lawyer qualified to plead cases at both criminal law and civil law bars
The word barrister is derived from the French word barre meaning “a barrier” or “a railing.” In feudal England, a baron had a manor with a manorial court to administer justice and protection to all people who lived on his land.
When cases reached their level of complexity, they were transferred to the royal courts. In order to argue in front of these royally appointed judges, lawyers or barristers would need the right qualifications.
The qualifying examination was held at one of the three English universities where they would be examined on Latin and law. If successful, they were granted admission as an Esquire or Barrister-at-Law.
More than just a title, being called a barrister is an indication that you have been admitted as an Esquire or Barrister.
So You Want to Be a Barrister? Here’s How to Do It Without a Law Degree
Becoming a barrister without a law degree may seem like an impossible feat, but there are actually several ways to break into the field without even getting an undergraduate degree in law.
Keep reading to learn how you can become a barrister without a law degree and, more importantly, how you can do it all while staying on the right side of the law!
The Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC)
While not required, most barristers do have a law degree before applying for training at an Inn of Court. Because of this fact, those wishing to practice law in England and Wales often choose to take a BPTC even if they have no plans on becoming barristers.
Completing a BPTC allows trainees access to on-the-job training experiences such as taking part in jury trials, where they can gain experience working alongside practicing barristers.
Students may also practice advocacy with judges from higher courts, who often lecture on litigation at these institutions. The course is extremely competitive; for example, BPP University School of Law recently had about 3,500 applicants competing for just 75 places.
The Legal Practice Course (LPC)
The Legal Practice Course is an intensive, two-year course that students must complete before applying for training contract.
Most students studying law opt for LPC full-time, although there are also part-time and evening options. Before enrolling in an LPC program, applicants must have either completed their bachelor’s degree or successfully passed their bar exams.
In most cases, it’s not possible to obtain your training contract without first completing your LPC; however, there are some exceptions where you may be able to get a trainee position with another firm prior to completing your coursework. Once enrolled in an LPC program, you’ll need to pass assessments before moving on to the next class or module. Those who fail assessments can retake them until they pass.
Solicitors’ Firm Articles
Solicitors are lawyers who mainly work on behalf of clients, advising them on a legal matter, as opposed to representing their clients in court. Solicitors usually do not have formal authority to represent anyone in court unless they are officially appointed as counsel.
In England and Wales, these attorneys are called barrister and solicitor. (In Scotland they are called advocate instead of barrister.) Though many solicitors can also argue cases in court or act as barristers if needed, it is generally considered unethical for them to do so without being officially appointed.
If you want to become a solicitor, start by writing articles for law firms that deal with matters that interest you most. Write about how you would handle such cases when hired at said firm.
Alternative Career Paths
If you are interested in becoming a barrister but don’t have a law degree, there are some other paths that might be right for you. The alternative career options below can help get you started on your way to practicing law.
Read on to find out more about these careers and how they can help prepare you for entering into one of two main branches of legal practice: civil and criminal barristers and solicitors.
If you know where your passion lies, then finding your legal path is all about keeping an open mind and being able to adapt along the way.
Private Sector Legal Advisers Private sector legal advisers provide their expertise, advice, and representation in various industry sectors such as financial services or health care.