How to become a Barrister

How to become a Barrister Are you a huge fan of TV legal dramas? Are you interested in pursuing law as a career? Then becoming a Barrister could be the perfect career choice for you. Barristers are typically hired by Solicitors to represent organisations or individuals in court. However, members of the public can also approach them directly.Barristers can be self-employed or work for the Crown Prosecution Service and the Government Legal Service, and they often specialise in a particular area, such as criminal law. As a Barrister, your job would be to plead each case on behalf of the client and their Solicitor.Day-to-day tasks will vary, but a Barrister will usually:Receive instructions from new clientsManage legal briefs on their behalfResearch past cases to find precedents that may prove usefulPrepare cases for court and advise clients on the likely outcomeRepresent clients in court and question witnesses when necessaryNegotiate settlementsIs it right for me?If you hate public speaking and never win an argu ment, then you might not be cut out to be a Barrister.However, if youre confident, fascinated by the justice system and remain calm under pressure, then this may be the career for you.A good Barrister will be:Excellent at conveying complex subjects in a manner thats easy to understandPersuasiveAble to deal with people from all walks of lifeGood at researchHighly organisedPunctualSelf-motivatedWhat's it really like? My favourite aspect of being a Barrister is all the research. It's great to look into previous cases and spot a clue that could help me in my current brief - I feel like a detective. Going into court and being part of a justice system dating back hundreds of years is another big plus point. Although it can be tough and very hard work, it's good to know I'm making a real difference to my clients. Get qualifiedYoull need a degree to become a Barrister and, although it doesnt have to be law-related, you may have to do a law conversion course before starting professional trai ning if this is the case. Afterwards, youll need to complete a Graduate Diploma in Law, followed by the Bar Practice Course and pupillage, which provides practical training under the supervision of an experienced Barrister.