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Barrister's clerk

Alternative titles for this job include

Barrister's clerks run the day to day administration tasks for barristers at offices called chambers.

Average salary (a year)

£20,000 Starter

to

£40,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

39 to 41 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends occasionally

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become a barrister's clerk

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

Some employers may expect you to have a university degree. A course in law or a related subject can be useful but is not essential.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

College

You may need to have A levels or equivalent qualifications.

Subjects you could consider include:

  • A level Law
  • T level in Management and Administration
  • level 3 Diploma in Business Administration
  • level 3 Certificate or Diploma in Law or Applied Law

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

More Information

Apprenticeship

You could get into this job through a higher apprenticeship in business administration or a law related higher apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You could start as an admin assistant in a law office and train more on the job to work your way up.

You'll usually need:

  • 4 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) or equivalent, including maths and English
  • experience in administration, legal secretary work, accounting or management

Paid or unpaid work experience in barrister chambers may give you an advantage when you apply for jobs.

More Information

Further information

You can find out more about working as a clerk in a barristers' office from the Institute of Barristers' Clerks.

What it takes

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • excellent written communication skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to use your initiative
  • administration skills
  • the ability to work well with others
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

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 this role you could:

  • take books, documents and robes to and from court
  • prepare, collect and deliver documents by hand
  • photocopy, file and deal with letters, emails and phone calls
  • collect fees, handle accounts, invoices and petty cash
  • organise the law library
  • manage each barrister's diary and keep their case information up to date
  • deal with solicitors, clients and their barristers

Working environment

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

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you might become a senior barrister's clerk, chambers director or practice manager.

As a senior clerk, you'll:

  • recruit, train and supervise junior clerks
  • bring business into chambers
  • allocate cases to barristers
  • manage finances and negotiate fees

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

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Courses In England

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  • Start date: 24 April 2024
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