Barrister

Barrister meaning

A Barrister is a member of the Bar. They have rights of audience before all Courts. Barristers are specialised legal advisors who also argue for their clients in court. They are unbiased, impartial, and have the necessary training to provide customers with advice about the advantages and disadvantages of their case. It is often useful to conceive of barristers as being the "front of house" of the legal system (the Courts), and solicitors as being the "back office" of the legal system. When it comes to lawyers and barristers, however, there is no hierarchy in the traditional sense; neither profession is inherently superior, more experienced, or more significant than the other.

Instructing a barrister

Barristers are highly-skilled legal professionals who provide legal advice and representation in court. If the solicitor plans to retain counsel to handle the trial, counsel should be retained long before the trial date. Of course, counsel is often already retained in a matter to provide advice, produce a statement of the case, or attend a case management conference. In addition, the trial term or date will have been known from allocation.

The brief to counsel should include copies of all pertinent trial materials. The text of the brief should elaborate on the disputed facts and the manner in which they are to be proven. Even if the lawyer is already aware with the case, the barrister should nevertheless take the time to detail the case in the brief in case it is subsequently handed on to another barrister. In the event that the lawyer initially retained is unable to attend the trial, the brief will be transferred to another barrister at short notice.

Becoming a barrister

Becoming a barrister is an arduous process that takes many years of dedication and hard work. It involves obtaining a qualifying law degree, undergoing vocational training, and completing pupillage with a practicing barrister. The competition is fierce, with only a small percentage of applicants that get a pupillage and get accepted into the profession. This is due, in part, to the prestigious reputation that comes with being a barrister and the high demand for their services. Additionally, the rigorous training and education required for the profession means that only those with a keen intellect, strong work ethic, and exceptional oral and written communication skills will succeed. With all these factors considered, it is evident that the path to becoming a barrister is challenging and certainly not for the faint of heart.

Solicitors v barristers

In terms of salaries, barristers tend to earn more than solicitors, as they are highly specialised and have unique skills set that give them an edge in court. However, the pay scale can vary depending on the area of law, experience, and the type of clients that solicitors and barristers serve. Ultimately, both solicitors and barristers can earn a substantial income and have rewarding careers in the legal field. According to recent surveys, the average annual salary for barristers in the UK ranges from £50,000 to £200,000 or more. However, many barristers earn significantly less, especially in their early years of practice. Additionally, barristers who work for government agencies or legal aid organisations may earn lower salaries than those in private practice.

Law Books

We pride ourselves at Law Tutor to be leaders in private law tutoring and legal education for all law courses. Use Law Tutor's law books for the LLB degree, GDL and other legal courses. Law Tutor is a former university law lecturer and barrister.