Barrister

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

In this guide

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

With experience you could:

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:

Most relevant

  • Law - Barristers need deep knowledge of legal principles, court procedures, and government regulations to represent their clients effectively. They research case law, prepare legal arguments, and must understand how different areas of law – from criminal to commercial – apply to each case they take on.
  • English Language - Barristers rely on exceptional communication skills every day, whether they're questioning witnesses, presenting arguments to a judge and jury, or drafting precise legal documents. The ability to read complex texts carefully, construct persuasive arguments, and express ideas with clarity is central to the role.

Also relevant

  • English Literature - Barristers spend a great deal of time analysing and interpreting written texts – from witness statements and case reports to legislation. The close reading and critical analysis skills developed in English Literature help barristers pick apart arguments and identify what a text really means.
  • History - Barristers research past cases and legal precedents to build their arguments, much like historians examine sources and evidence to construct an account of events. The skills of evaluating evidence, understanding context, and building a well-supported argument transfer directly to legal work.
  • Politics - Barristers work within a legal system shaped by Parliament, government policy, and constitutional principles. Understanding how laws are made, how power is distributed, and how political decisions affect the justice system gives barristers important context for the cases they argue.
  • Philosophy - Barristers construct and deconstruct logical arguments as a core part of their work, which is exactly what philosophy teaches. Ethical reasoning is also important – barristers regularly face difficult moral questions about justice, rights, and their duties to clients and the court.
  • Psychology - Barristers need to understand human behaviour when questioning witnesses, reading a jury, or assessing the credibility of evidence. Knowing how people think, react under pressure, and form judgements helps barristers present their cases more persuasively.
  • Sociology - Barristers often deal with cases that involve social issues such as inequality, crime, family breakdown, and discrimination. Understanding how society is structured and how social factors influence people's lives helps barristers put their cases into a broader context.

How to become

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

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

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.

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Bar Council for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

Further information

You can find out more about becoming a barrister from:

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