5 Becoming a barrister

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Barrister v Barista
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Cartoon image of a barrister serving coffee over a counter to a customer. A speech bubble says, ‘I didn’t read the job description properly.

Barrister v Barista

There are a number of stages involved in becoming a real barrister.

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The stages involved in becoming a real barrister. Each stage has arrows between them. Complete the qualifying law degree (3 years). Or a non-law degree plus the Graduate Diploma in Law (4 years). Join an Inn of Court. Complete a Bar training course that is approved by the Bar Standards Board. Officially called to the Bar. Pupillage (1 year). Working as a barrister.

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If you want more detailed information on any of the steps involved, you can find this on the Bar Standards Board [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] website. It is the body that regulates barristers in England and Wales.

Sorting out the stages

Read the following statements and decide whether they are true or false.

a. 

True


b. 

False


The correct answer is b.

Discussion

A barrister does have to have a degree, but it does not have to be in law. It does need to be a 2.2 classification or above (degree classifications in all subjects range from pass, 3rd, 2.2, 2.1 to 1st).

If the degree is not in law, it is necessary to also study the Graduate Diploma in Law, which usually takes 1-year full time or two years part time.

a. 

True


b. 

False


The correct answer is a.

Discussion

In addition, to be allowed on to this Course, it is necessary to take the Bar Course Aptitude Test (a multiple-choice test to check you have the right skills for the Course).

a. 

True


b. 

False


The correct answer is b.

Discussion

Pupillage is one-year long. It is divided into two parts. In the first six months you are called ‘non-practising’ and you shadow a pupil supervisor. In the second six months you are practising, which means you can start to take on small cases under the supervision of your pupil master.

Sixes

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For more information on Pupillage, watch this video from The Lawyer Portal, which describes how the final year is split into 'sixes'.

You may hear people referring to ‘mini-pupillages’. This is a form of work experience which aspiring barristers undertake during their degree or Bar training course, which usually lasts from one day to two weeks.

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Barrister briefing! Traditionally, student barristers had to dine at their chosen Inn of Court twelve times before they could become a working barrister. This gave them an opportunity to meet and talk with more experienced barristers. Today, student barristers still have to undertake a number of qualifying sessions as a student member of an Inn, but these are likely to be a mixture of training courses, lectures and other events.

4 Who can become a barrister?

6 Getting ready