Perceived as 'out-dated, elitist and old fashioned' and facing the toughest challenge to its future, one of the most powerful professions in the country opens its doors for the cameras.
After years of negotiation, the team that produced BBC Two's award-winning Anatomy of a Crime has had unprecedented access to the Bar to follow barristers, their cases – from divorce settlements to murder - and the ambitious young men and women who aspire to join one of the most prestigious professions in the world.
It's a glamorous job which produces Prime Ministers, millionaires and the judges who shape our law, but the climb to the top is steep and difficult, thousands start on the road to become a ‘brief’ every year but just one in five will ever present a case in court.
The series follows students, Anna, Iqbal, Cat and Jo as they take their first steps on the Bar Vocational Course – a year at college costing around £12,000 – will any of them get a Pupillage (an apprenticeship in a set of barrister’s chambers)? And then there’s a Tenancy to be found before they can finally begin to practise in court.
While the backdrop may be steeped in history, tradition and etiquette, the challenges of the 21st Century are never far away. The government believes the legal profession is “outdated and insufficiently accountable” and is reducing the Legal Aid budget by millions of pounds, while searching for cheaper ways of prosecuting and defending cases. The Bar, however, says the quality and independence of the law is under attack and justice threatened.
The Barristers focuses on entrants to a profession once again reinventing itself - while retaining a noble history.
The Barristers in more depth:
OU on the BBC: The Barristers - Programme 1
Production team
Just one in five students succeed in becoming a barrister and having their day in court – explore the glamorous and competitive world of The... Read more : OU on the BBC: The Barristers - Programme 1
OU on the BBC: The Barristers - Programme 2
Production team
This week, the focus is on family law - and at the foot of this page, we'd like to know what you think about some... Read more : OU on the BBC: The Barristers - Programme 2
OU on the BBC: The Barristers - Programme 3
Production team
Amongst the stories featured this week, there's a look at barristers who are paid by the state - and at the foot of this page,... Read more : OU on the BBC: The Barristers - Programme 3
OU on the BBC: The Barristers - Programme 4
Production team
As we reach the end of our time with The Barristers, our thoughts turn to the future. This week, we'd like to know what you... Read more : OU on the BBC: The Barristers - Programme 4
Five questions, five perspectives
The Open University
Professor Gary Slapper introduces our videos exploring barristers and their roles Read more : Five questions, five perspectives
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Comments on: "About the series"
Angela Ioannou has started a thread discussing About the series.
I think the program hs really helped me in deciding what I want to do. I was told a few weeks ago that I would not be able to become a barrister because of my ethnic background and the fact that I was working class, although I attend one of the top sixth form colleges in the country. Despite this comment I am determined to prove this person wrong, not all members of the legal profession have to come from Oxbridge- although it is an obvious advantage as seen in the program. I think more programs like this should be made to highlight the inequalities of the legal profession and to allow those wishing to pursue a legal career a chance to see the inside and not just accept the stereotypes from fictious television dramas.
Re: Comments on: "About the series"
Barristers are usually as eccentric as a sack of squirrels, and extrovert to the point of being an embarassment, but they have the critically important societal role of being Wolves who have been made Sheepdogs. It is a completely fair profession, and is blind to ethnicity, class, or attendance at Oxbridge; they only make one demand - Ability.
The path may not be smooth or easy or cheap, and the shape and funding of the Bar are currently in flux, but Oxbridge is only over-represented in the Bar Vocational Course. It is fascinating to watch high morale, highly groomed, and carefully coached minds produced by Oxbridge in confusion when presented with first-raters from a different background; they are used to being 'the Pirannah in the Pool', and suddenly they are in the Pirannah Pool. Watching the confusion on their faces as they learn that not all the best people go to Oxbridge is an education in itself.
Millions of pounds go into scholarships to allow students from poorer background to take the BVC, which only serves to filter out people with the inability to study anyway. The first cut that counts is Pupillage, and that's because the hiring Barrsters know what real talent looks like.
Being a Barrister is one of the only professions where, currently, you get well paid for an entire career for 'not selling out'. I'm not sure how this will change if the government institutionalise Barristers by expanding the Employed Bar. Irrespective, it will still attract alot of the very brightest people around, 75% of whom will not succeed.
The obstacles you may face include the expense, the somewhat fluid nature of the Bar in the near future, and your own temprament. Don't give your ethnicity, class, or educational institution a second thought. If you have even the slightest question in your mind about your ability, pick something else.
Re: Comments on: "About the series"
On second thoughts, perhaps our friend who skries the stars has crept in from Alice in Wonderland, or is it Through the Looking Glass, a fugitive from the Mad Hatter's Tea Party. Be that as it may, his or her views on Oxbridge and the sheer competitiveness of the Bar, and the talent involved, are very much on the money.
Re: Comments on: "About the series"
If actors and poets are most effective in convincing a jury of their reasoned opinion then change the selection process too reflect this.
Distill the functions of a good barrister and divide them between narrower specialists and actioners.
For example points of law should be a matter of reference so lend themselves to consideration before the performance begins and then an expert to hand can offer instant opinion on legalities and the "poet" or "actor" is given direction as they act out to the jury.
You could use an expert system on a computer to simultaneous up-date both prosecution and defence council to points of law and procedure that automatically appear in front of them on their laptops and prompt warnings to both sides openly.
The need to be able to retain law in your head is virtually removed and provided by a computer. The ability to persuade is promoted so that the profession of advocate is open to anyone that is a good actor or poet.
How could any such job as complex as barrister be so "de-skilled" ?
It never happened to accountancy.
Re: Comments on: "About the series"
Those are interesting comments from the namesake of the man who was once the astrologer of Catherine de Medici at the start of the French Wars of Religion. It makes being a barrister sound like a cross between an actor and a poet, not a bad analogy but the types at the Commercial Bar who make all the money are not half as colourful as the skryer of the skies makes out - a romantic view but not an unattractive one.
Re: Comments on: "About the series"
You are quite right Chazza2090. If you work hard, respect scholarship and are prepared to engage energetically with the law by reading cases and thinking hard then you will be a far, far better barrister than these gilded creatures from Oxbridge. I speak as someone who was at Oxford years ago. In those days it was full of rich idiots and superficial fools. What redeemed the 'home of lost causes' was the fact that it still sheltered a few real, traditional, old-style scholars. Attending their lectures was a real privilege but it was a waste of time listening to those given by charlatans such as AJP Taylor and AJ Ayer. Oxford today is a shadow of its very inadequate former self; not even worth going to because it is filled of over competitive, callow youths of both sexes who think they are better than anyone else. You could come to study with us at the OU or go to a serious University but whatever you choose I wish you luck. The Bar needs people like you Chazza2090 - go for it.
Re: Comments on: "About the series"
Playing your cards a bit too close maybe?