How to become a barrister or advocate

CONTENTS

1. What do barristers do?

2. What is a career as a barrister like?

3. How to become a barrister in England and Wales

4. How to become a barrister in Northern Ireland

5. How to become an advocate in Scotland

What do barristers do?

Barristers provide specific, specialist legal advice. They represent individuals and organisations before courts and tribunals, in writing or in person. In Scotland, advocates perform a similar role.

In general, a barrister is hired by a solicitor when advocacy before a court is necessary. Usually this is a one-off representation to argue the client's case, rather than ongoing advisory work.

What is a career as a barrister like?

Barristers normally specialise in one area such as criminal law, commercial or common law (divorce, housing and personal injuries). Other fields include chancery (dealing with estates and trusts) or entertainment and sports law. Barristers specialising in criminal law spend a lot of time in court, while those working in family law are more involved in mediation. Commercial and chancery law can involve advisory work and drafting legal documents.

Barristers must have a high level of intellectual ability, be fluent in written and spoken English, and must think and communicate well under pressure. They organise and analyse large amounts of information, apply the law to the facts, and present legal arguments persuasively in court.

Most barristers are self-employed, working with other barristers in offices referred to as chambers (or sometimes ‘stables’ in Scotland). Experienced barristers may become sole practitioners. Some work for government departments or agencies like the Crown Prosecution Service. An increasing number of barristers are employed by other organisations which may even include solicitor firms.

If you’re looking to become a barrister or advocate, expect to work long and unsocial hours. Court sits during the day but there’s a lot of preparation involved and tight deadlines. You’ll also be expected to follow strict dress codes.

How much do barristers earn?

In England and Wales, the Bar Standards Board set a minimum payment for trainees in pupillage of £20,703 in London or £18,884 elsewhere (figures from 2023). Most chambers will pay above this, even up to £80,000 depending on the area of specialisation.

Specialism and location are key when it comes to incomes for qualified barristers. Juniors starting out in the Criminal Bar, whose work may be supported by legal aid, could earn below £20,000 per year, whereas those in commercial law could command upwards of £200,000. Self-employed barristers must cover the cost of their chambers, insurance, professional fees and work-related expenses.

In-house barristers such as Crown Prosecutors working for the Crown Prosecution Service could earn around £57,000 per year.

Becoming a barrister in the UK

If you’re considering a legal career as a barrister, or an advocate in Scotland, a good degree is vital. It can be in Law or a different subject followed by a Law conversion course or graduate Law degree.

After the degree, specific vocational qualifications and in-work training are needed to practise as a barrister or advocate. There’s a lot of competition to get the in-work training required to fully qualify so gain as much information as possible before considering this route. Try to get relevant experience such as working for a law firm, doing a mini-pupillage or talking to those who are recently qualified.

The pathway to qualifying as a barrister or advocate differs for each legal system in the UK.

How to become a barrister in England and Wales

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) regulates barristers in England and Wales. It decides what's needed to qualify as a barrister and practise.

There are three components to qualifying as a barrister:

• Academic learning: Law degree or Law conversion course
• Vocational qualification: Bar training course
• In-work training: Pupillage or other work-based learning

As a student barrister, you will also need to join one of the four Inns of Court in London. These historic societies are responsible for 'calling' student barristers to the Bar. They offer educational and financial support including grants and scholarships, but competition for these is fierce.

Membership is for life, so choosing which Inn to join is an important decision. Each of the four (Lincoln’s Inn, Gray’s Inn, Inner Temple and Middle Temple) has its own character and offers professional and social networks for when you qualify.

Academic learning: Law degree or Law conversion course

You must have a degree – but it doesn't matter if it's a Law degree, or a non-Law degree followed by a Law conversion course or graduate Law degree.

Whichever route you choose, you must have studied all the elements of legal knowledge specified by the regulating body, often referred to as ‘qualifying Law degree’.

Vocational learning: Bar training courses (formerly BPTC)

After completing academic learning, vocational training covers the practical work of a barrister. There’s a variety of Bar training courses to choose from but check the training provider is authorised as an AETO (authorised education and training organisation) by the Bar Standards Board. Courses are detailed on the BSB website.

Some are one-year full-time courses, available as a postgraduate diploma or master’s (LLM).

Other courses may be divided into two parts. Part 1 focuses on legal knowledge and may be delivered online. Those completing part 1 can progress to part 2 to develop their legal skills. It may be possible to take the second part with a different provider. Completion of both parts may result in a postgraduate diploma. The advantage of this route is that if you don’t progress from part 1, there is no obligation to pay for part 2.

What do the courses cover?

The exact curriculum of Bar training courses will vary.

Legal knowledge focuses on civil and criminal litigation (legal action) including evidence, alternative dispute resolution and criminal sentencing. These are assessed through exams set centrally by the BSB.

Legal skills are developed in advocacy (representing clients within courts or tribunals) and conferencing. Modules also cover legal research, writing and drafting (opinions, or binding legal texts). These are assessed by the provider, along with a student’s understanding of professional ethics. For two-part courses, legal skills are covered in part 2 and attendance in person will be needed.

Depending on the course type there may also be elective options, or academic research.

Entry requirements and applications

Courses must be started within five years of completing a qualifying Law degree or graduate Law conversion course. Your degree needs to be a minimum of a 2:2, whether it was in Law or not, but provider entry requirements may be higher. Excellent English language skills are also needed, both written and spoken.

Applications are made direct to providers. You may apply to more than one provider but can only accept one place. You must also join an Inn before you begin the skills element of the course (part 2).

Since September 2022, Bar training students are no longer required to take the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) – this was a multiple-choice exam to test critical thinking.

How much does a Bar training course cost?

Fees range from £12,400–£20,200 for the full course. Fees may be higher for international students.

If the Bar training course is part of a master’s degree, you might be eligible for a postgraduate loan.

Scholarships may be available from one of the Inns of Court. You don’t need to be a member before applying for a scholarship and are normally awarded on merit. Providers also offer scholarships, which will be competitive.

In-work training: Pupillage or work-based learning.

After you pass your Bar training course you have five years in which to complete the required period of work-based learning. In most cases, this will be termed a pupillage.

Usually lasting for 12 months, it is undertaken with an AETO – in this case, chambers rather than a vocational training provider – under the guidance of an experienced barrister called a pupil supervisor.

Pupillage places are advertised on the Pupillage Gateway from the end of November, with offers made by AETOs in May. Vacancies may be advertised up to 18 months in advance and can be scarce and highly sought after. You may apply for a pupillage before you complete your Bar training course, but you must be confident that you’ll have passed the course before the pupillage starts.

The pupillage is in two parts: a non-practising six months where you shadow and work with your approved pupil supervisor, and then six months' practise where with your supervisor's permission you can supply legal services and exercise rights of audience (i.e., appear in court on behalf of a client). You’ll also need to attend compulsory courses and pass certain assessments.

Around 500 trainee barristers begin their first stage of pupillage each year. They may be in the 'employed bar' or more commonly in self-employed practice, and can focus on different areas of law. Before applying, you should decide which best suits your experience and preferences. Work experience and a mini-pupillage can help with this.

Since the second six months are the 'practising six', you must be called to the Bar before starting this – and before you can be called to the Bar, you must have completed ten qualifying sessions of training with your Inn.

During pupillage, you apply for tenancy – this is the entitlement to continue to practice from a set of chambers. As with pupillage, securing a tenancy can be challenging. On completing pupillage, you must apply for a full practising certificate to start practising as a barrister. You'll then appear on the Barristers' Register.

How to become a barrister in Northern Ireland

Barristers in Northern Ireland are regulated by the Bar of Northern Ireland, with professional training for both barristers and solicitors overseen by the Institute of Professional Legal Studies (IPLS) at Queen’s University Belfast.

The stages of training are:

• Academic knowledge: Law degree or Law conversion course
• Vocational qualification: Bar Course at the IPLS
• In-work training: Pupillage

Academic knowledge: Law degree or Law conversion course

You’ll need a ‘recognised Law degree'. These degrees include eight foundation subjects as the ‘Law of Evidence’ is required, although it can be taken as a separate exam if necessary. The IPLS website lists acceptable Law degrees in its Information Booklet for Applicants. This includes certain degrees from England and Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Scotland – but not the LLB in Scots Law.

Vocational qualification: Bar Course

The IPLS is responsible for training the legal profession in Northern Ireland. Courses are slightly different for trainee barristers and trainee solicitors, but both are awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Studies (Bar or Solicitor as appropriate).

What does the Bar Course cover?

You gain knowledge of practice and procedure in a broad range of areas. This includes bar advocacy and skills, family law and procedure, accounts and insolvency. Litigation processes include civil and criminal, conveyancing and property, public and client, plus company law. Trainee barristers receive training in practical evidence and the full trial programme. Skills are developed through a Citizens Advice Bureau placement.

In areas of joint training, separate tutorials or practical exercises may be given to solicitors and barristers. Other areas are taught separately.

The barrister course runs full-time from September to June the following year and includes compulsory work experience. You can apply to the IPLS to study the course part-time.

Entry requirements and applications

Entry requirements are a 2:1 in a recognised Law degree or a non-Law degree followed by a Law conversion or graduate Law degree. International students must prove their English language skills. You can apply online from September to mid-November for entry the following year. You’ll have to sit an admissions test. 

After receiving an offer of a place and before starting the course, you must be admitted to the Inn of Court as a student. Before the course starts, you should find a ‘master’ with whom you’ll serve your pupillage – the IPLS will supply a list to help.

Fees and funding

For 2023/24, UK fees are £10,200. You may be eligible for a postgraduate loan, and scholarships may be available from universities.

In-work training: Pupillage

After the barrister course, you begin a 12-month pupillage with a master. A master is a barrister with at least seven years’ experience. You generally can’t accept work on your own account until the second six months of your pupillage.

Barristers in Northern Ireland must be registered with the Bar of Northern Ireland, the country’s regulating authority for the profession.

How to become an advocate in Scotland

In Scotland, advocates perform a role similar to a barrister. The Court of Session has responsibility for admitting advocates and the criteria for training is decided by the Faculty of Advocates. However, as part of the training covers the same ground as solicitors, if you want to become an advocate you should also check requirements set by the Law Society of Scotland.

The stages of training are:

• Academic knowledge: LLB in Scots Law
• Vocational qualification: PEAT 1 (Diploma in Professional Legal Practice)
• In-work training: PEAT 2 (traineeship)
• Training specific to advocates

Academic knowledge: LLB in Scots Law

Scotland has a separate legal system to that of England and Wales, and as a trainee advocate you must complete an honours degree in Scots Law. Accelerated courses are available for non-Law graduates.

You must take exams in the subjects specified by the Law Society (the solicitors' regulator) to continue onto the vocational qualification, where part of your training will be as a solicitor. You should also be sure to cover the subjects required by the Faculty of Advocates and achieve a minimum 2:2 degree.

Vocational qualification: PEAT 1 (Diploma in Professional Legal Practice)

Professional Education and Training Stage 1 (PEAT 1) is commonly known as the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice (DPLP). It’s taken by both trainee solicitors and advocates.

What does the Diploma in Professional Legal Practice cover?

The DPLP is practical in focus, involving skills-based teaching, much of it delivered by qualified solicitors.

Courses vary by provider but all cover business, financial and practice awareness, private client work, litigation (i.e., taking legal action), conveyancing and tax. Core outcomes include professionalism, professional communication (within teams as well as the skills needed for effective legal work), and professional ethics and standards. Elective modules allow you to specialise.

Six Scottish universities are accredited to run the course by the Law Society of Scotland. The course lasts nine months, or two-years if taken part-time. Assessments are decided by the university. They may include exams, written assignments, online multiple-choice tests or client interview scenarios using actors.

Entry requirements and applications

Entry is via the LLB in Scots Law, assessed on the marks achieved at your first exam sitting in the subjects specified by the Law Society. If you’re an international student, you must be proficient in the English language.

Applications are open from February to April. You can apply to the university where you completed your Law degree, even if your first choice for studying the DPLP is at another university. Exact requirements vary by provider, so please refer to university websites. You can say if there are any universities where you don’t want to study, and you should make it clear if you’ve secured a training contract to follow the DPLP.

How much does the DPLP cost? Is funding available?

In 2023/24, UK fees range from £7,930–£10,735 with international fees from £7,930–£24,800. Part-time fees are pro-rata.

You may be eligible for a postgraduate loan, and scholarships may be available from universities.

In-work training: PEAT 2 (traineeship)

PEAT 2 is known as the traineeship, where the skills and values learnt on the DPLP are honed in a solicitors' practise. For trainee advocates, this is for no less than 21 months. The DPLP diploma is valid until the end of December two years after it is awarded, but you can apply for an extension. Before starting PEAT 2, you must apply for an entrance certificate.

As elsewhere, in-work training after the vocational qualification is highly competitive. Large firms often advertise for traineeships up to two years ahead, so if you’re completing an LLB you may apply during the final year of your degree before starting the DPLP. Other places may become available while you’re on the DPLP.

The Law Society recommends that trainees are paid £20,500 in their first year of training and £23,750 in their second (figures from 2023).

Training specific to advocates

After the PEAT 2 traineeship, you undertake a nine-month unpaid pupillage known as 'devilling'. This includes on-the-job experience under the guidance of a ‘devilmaster’, an advocate with at least seven years’ standing. You’ll also complete advocacy skills courses and assessments.

The training is free of charge, and scholarships are offered by the Faculty of Advocates to help with living expenses.

There's only one intake of devils each year, in late September or early October. The year before you begin devilling, you must enrol as an Intrant with the Faculty of Advocates and then pass the Faculty’s examination in Evidence, Practice and Procedure.

After completing all elements of your training you're admitted to membership of the Faculty of Advocates, and by court to the public office of advocate.