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Barrister

Alternative titles for this job include Advocate

Barristers give advice to solicitors and represent people in disagreements, investigations and in court.

Average salary (a year)

£21,000 Starter

to

£200,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

40 to 48 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through a university course or by working towards this role.

University

You could do a degree in law to become a barrister. You also have the option to do a degree in any subject and complete a Graduate Diploma in Law afterwards.

Once you've graduated, you need to complete:

  • the Bar Professional Training Course which takes one year
  • a year of practical training called a pupillage

To get into some universities you'll need to pass the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT).

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

More Information

Work

You could start your career by working in a law firm or the law department of an organisation.

With support from your employer, you could complete a qualification like the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives.

Solicitors

If you're a solicitor, you can apply to become a barrister if you get approval from the Bar Standards Board and sit a Bar Transfer Test.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a barrister from:

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • active listening skills
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • persuading skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

In your day-to-day duties you could:

  • meet with clients and take on cases
  • research the law and cases similar to the one you're working on
  • read witness statements and reports
  • offer legal advice and your opinion
  • negotiate settlements out of court
  • prepare legal arguments and court briefs
  • question witnesses and present cases to the judge and jury

Working environment

You could work in a court, at chambers or in an office.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a barrister right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

A Level Law

  • Provider: CHESTERFIELD COLLEGE
  • Start date: 07 September 2026
  • Location: CHESTERFIELD

Access to HE Diploma (Law)

  • Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
  • Start date: 01 September 2026
  • Location: Reading
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

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