Bar

Bar Meaning

The phrase used to refer to barristers as a group. The process by which a law studnet advances their career to the level of barrister is referred to as "getting called to the bar." It is important to defend the ideals of accountability under the law and the vindication of legal rights via the courts, and the independent, practising Bar of England and Wales, which has a membership of more than 16,500 people, plays a critical role in doing so. The general public is served by a bar that is both powerful and unaffiliated. Many still see it as a profession which is old fashioned and difficult to get in. 

Barrister

In the legal profession, barristers are often referred to as a distinguished group of legal advocates. The term barrister is an old English term that refers to a specialised type of lawyer who has a license to argue cases in court. The phrase "the Bar" is often used to refer to barristers as a group. Being a barrister is seen as a mark of prestige and distinction in the legal profession. The phrase "the Bar" is often used in a professional context to refer specifically to those practicing law as barristers, as opposed to solicitors or other legal professionals. Members of the Bar are known for their specialised knowledge and expertise, and many lawyers aspire to become barristers in order to gain recognition and prestige in the legal field.

instructing a barrister

It is not necessary to instruct a barrister (also known as counsel) in every case. As a highlytrained lawyer, the solicitor should have confidence in his own knowledge and ability. The solicitor will be capable of forming an assessment of both the chance of success and the level of damages. Too frequent use of counsel may result in the costs being disallowed on an assessment of costs at the end of a case.

how to become a barrister

To become a barrister in the UK, you need to complete a series of educational and practical stages. First, you must obtain a qualifying law degree or complete a conversion course if your degree is non-law. Second, you must pass the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) and complete the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). Third, you must secure a pupillage, which is two phases of practical training under the supervision of an experienced barrister. During this time, you will also need to pass the Professional Ethics Exam. Fourth, you must apply to join one of the four Inns of Court and be called to the Bar, which is a formal ceremony where you pledge to uphold the standards of the profession. Finally, you can begin practicing as a barrister in chambers. It's a rigorous and competitive process, but with dedication and hard work, you can become a qualified barrister in the UK.

Chambers and Oxbridge policy

Getting a pupillage with chambers does not necessarily require attending Oxford or Cambridge University. While being an alumnus from these universities can be considered as a significant advantage, it is not a prerequisite for gaining a pupillage position. What matters more is possessing strong academic credentials, relevant experience, skills, and attributes to demonstrate that you have the potential to make a valuable contribution to the chambers. Chambers tend to seek candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences, and skills to bring fresh perspectives and ideas to the team. Therefore, regardless of the university you attended, you can still pursue opportunities for pupillage with chambers if you possess the requisite qualities.

Problems at the bar

The Bar of England and Wales has been facing some serious issues in recent years. One of the main problems is the lack of diversity among barristers, with a significant under-representation of ethnic minorities and women. This lack of diversity has been identified as one of the reasons for the erosion of trust in the profession. Another issue is the high cost of training to become a barrister, with tuition fees and exam fees being prohibitively expensive for many aspiring barristers. Additionally, there have been concerns raised about the poor working conditions and low pay for barristers in certain areas of practice. With these issues, the Bar of England and Wales must take action to improve diversity and accessibility, along with addressing the working and financial conditions of its members for the betterment of the profession as a whole.

Law Books

Law Tutor are leaders in law tutoring and private law teaching for all law courses. Use Law Tutor's law books for the LLB degree, SQE and Bar Course and other legal courses. Law Tutor is a former university law lecturer and barrister.