Barrister Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a barrister. Feel free to use our barrister job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a barrister.
Who is a Barrister?
A barrister is best described as a legal practitioner who is known to perform an advocatory role in a law court. Barristers differ from lawyers in the area of client relationships because while they have less interaction with clients as they spend their working hours preparing cases in chambers, lawyers advise clients and conduct lawsuits for them. Barristers differ from solicitors in that they have more direct contact with clients and can perform transactional legal work. Judges are mostly appointed by barristers, and they are rarely hired directly by clients. To be a barrister, it is usually expected of a lawyer to specialize in either of these areas of law; chancery law ( which deals with estates and trusts), Commercial law, Common law (which deals with family and housing), Criminal law, Entertainment Law, Environmental Law, and Sports Law. Barristers are basically hired by solicitors to represent a case in the law court and can only become involved once advocacy before a court is required.
In common law jurisdictions, a barrister is a type of lawyer. Barristers primarily practice advocacy and litigation in the courts. Taking cases to superior courts and tribunals, creating legal pleadings, researching the philosophy, theory, and history of law, and providing professional legal opinions are among their responsibilities. In a few jurisdictions, barristers are normally prohibited from “conducting” litigation and can only act on the directions of a solicitor, who handles functions including communicating with parties and the court, as well as drafting court documents. In England and Wales, barristers can apply to the Bar Standards Board for permission to undertake litigation. This allows a barrister to practice in “dual capacity,” meaning they can function as a barrister and a solicitor at the same time.
The Bar Council, sometimes known as the General Council of the Bar, is the representative body of barristers in England and Wales. It acts on issues of general interest to the profession and supervises the professional conduct of its members through the independent Bar Standards Board. Unless there are conditions of conflicting client interests, a barrister is compelled to accept any case for a proper professional fee, regardless of his personal sentiments. Furthermore, if a barrister is not paid for his job, he is not permitted to seek reimbursement in court. Barristers are prohibited from forming formal partnerships with other barristers or solicitors, as well as from engaging in any other profession or company.
It is worthy of note to point out that “the call to bar” is an essential requirement for one to be regarded as a barrister. In most common law jurisdictions, someone must be competent to argue in court on behalf of another party, and they are said to have been “called to the bar” or “accepted call to the bar”. “The bar” is now used as a collective noun for barristers, but literally refers to a wooden barrier in historic courtrooms that separated the often busy public area at the back from the space near the judges reserved for people with business with the Court. Barristers would sit or stand in front of it, facing the judge, and utilize it as a table for their briefs.
However, various barristers may specialize in different areas of law, and as a result, they can only represent a client if the issue falls within their area of expertise. Depending on the sort of case and their area of competence, a barrister’s duties and responsibilities may change.
Barrister Job Description
Below are the barrister job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a barrister job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Represent and advocate for individuals and organizations in the court of law are the areas of specialization of barristers.
- Counsel and advise clients on their cases.
- Plead the case on behalf of the client and the client’s solicitor.
- Avail for instructions from clients and solicitors.
- Comprehend and apply the law.
- Master and handle legal briefs (cases)
- Conduct legal research on key legal issues.
- Write reports and provide advice to lawyers and other professionals.
- Prepare cases for trial, which includes attending client meetings and drafting legal arguments.
- Counsel clients on legal and evidential issues, as well as the strength of their case.
- Investigate and cross-examine the reasons why the court should support a client’s case.
- Present arguments in court for clients.
- Make contact with local law firms to see if you can work with them for a week or marshal a judge.
- Attend criminal court hearings in the public gallery to observe proceedings.
- Provide clients and solicitors with expert legal guidance.
- Prepare cases, that is, the process of putting together a case.
- Write legal paperwork for clients.
- Defend clients in the courtroom
- Provide legal assistance and representation.
- Interview witnesses and evaluate evidence to reach a decision.
- Negotiate for a settlement.
- Ensure clients understand and communicate the law
- Make a persuasive argument in a court of law.
Nevertheless, as a barrister, your area of specialty may compel you to take on additional obligations and responsibilities.
Qualifications
There are qualifications, abilities, and skills that are required to be a barrister, and they are as follows;
- A bachelor’s degree in law is required: The LLB Law/ LLB Law Online is equivalent to a BA or BSc and is a Qualifying Law Degree. It’s the most vital step towards becoming a barrister. Also, instead of a three-year Qualifying Law Degree, the Accelerated LLB is a two-year program. It traverses the same ground as before, but at a faster pace.
- The MA Law/ MA Law Online degree is created specifically for non-law graduates who want to pursue a Master of Arts in law. Additionally, the Bar Practice Course also known as LPC is also a postgraduate course that prepares one to work as a bartender. In other words, you can still train to be a barrister if you have a degree in another course. You will be eligible for that if you have a 2.2 or higher. Then you can be able to go ahead with;
- Graduate-entry law degree.
- MA in Law/Common Professional Examination (CPE)/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL)/Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
Essential Skills Required to be a Barrister are;
- Previous legal experiences and permits.
- Expertise in legal research.
- Information technology skills.
- Understanding of court procedures and the legal system.
- Testimonials of experiences delivering legal representation in a courtroom.
- Excellent communication and oral presenting skills.
- Good interpersonal skills.
- Ability to meet deadlines.
- Ability to maintain composure under pressure.
- Skills in public speaking and advocacy.
- Skills in problem-solving.
- Personality traits.
- Skills in project and time management.
- Skills in analysis and paying attention to details.
How to Become a Barrister?
The legal profession is one of the most prestigious and sought-after lines of career across the globe. However, to become a barrister involves the satisfaction of some qualifications, skills, experiences, and abilities already aforementioned. Becoming a barrister requires these stages:
- The A-levels and a variety of GCSEs are often required for admission to a law degree program. You don’t have to study law, but courses with significant research and communication components, such as law, history, geography, politics, the sciences, and languages, may be beneficial.
- Take one of the new Bar vocational courses after earning an approved undergraduate legal degree and passing with a grade of at least upper second-class upper (2.1) or above (some undergraduate law degrees will already include the vocational component).
- In addition to the foregoing, you may choose to pursue a Masters-level Law degree and a Ph.D. in Law later in your career.
- You may need to take a legal conversion course if you hold a degree other than law (diploma in law). A law degree can take 5-7 years to finish, whereas a law conversion course can be completed in one year.
- After earning a law degree or a law degree and diploma, you must also complete a one-year Bar course.
- You will be called to Bar after successfully finishing the Bar course and completing your training.
- You’ll need to enroll in one of the new bartending classes (some undergraduate law degrees will already include the vocational component).
- A 12-month training period in various law chambers under the supervision of a pupil supervisor is the final stage of becoming a Barrister. ‘Pupillage’ is the term for this stage.
- You must now establish a permanent practice base after completing your pupillage. Some barristers may win favor in the chamber where they completed their pupillage and will be retained as a result.
It is recommended that students learn about the law and participate in mini-pupillage while still in college or university and that they apply for pupillage in their last year. Taking advantage of any scheme your university may run, for example, some law firms offer a Sussex Law Clinic for members of the community to seek legal advice for law students who volunteer their time. Joining a law society while you’re at university and working in a court as a court usher is also recommendable.
Where do Barristers work?
Work activities are determined by a variety of circumstances, including your practice area of focus, and definitely involve problems solving and resolving conflicts. The majority of barristers work for themselves, on a self-employed basis, but others work for government bodies or departments. A growing number of barristers are hired by private and public organizations such as charities. Barristers who operate for themselves work in chambers, which they may own or share with other lawyers. Activity sectors of a barrister include; Law, Jurisprudence, Justice, Philosophy of Law, Politics, Legal history, Human rights, and Intellectual property
The balance and emphasis of the activities will be primarily determined by a barrister’s area of practice. A criminal barrister’s job, for example, is likely to entail a lot of courtroom advocacy. A family law lawyer may defend clients in court in a contract dispute or divorce case, but they may also participate in mediation to avoid going to court.
Barristers who practice chancery or commercial law spend significantly less time in court than those who practice other fields of law, instead of focusing on drafting and consulting work. Employed barristers perform identical tasks for a single client or company. They may also get involved in the formation of legal policy and strategy at a higher level. Prospective barristers should also note that they contribute to the collective running and management of chambers, particularly with matters of recruitment.
Barrister Salary
Around 80% of barristers work for themselves, and their wages might vary greatly based on a variety of criteria. These factors include; geographic location, practice area, experience, and reputation, as well as the sort of organization being worked for (self-employed or employed). Salaries in top commercial shows, for example, can be significantly higher than in family or criminal shows. Earnings for barristers in their early years of practice can be quite low, and there can be a long period of time between accomplishing work and receiving remuneration. If one is self-employed, they’ll additionally need to include expenses such chambers rent, clerks’ fees, tax, insurance, and travel. Employed barristers’ salaries will be less variable because they are set by their employers.
Salaries for people doing pupillage (the final stage of qualifying for the Bar) must be at least £18,866 in London and £16,633 outside of London. The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has set this minimum. However, some chambers provide far more than the bare minimum. Top commercial sets, for example, could be worth more than £50,000.
Qualified barristers in private practice with five years’ experience can expect to earn between £50,000 and £200,000. Earnings for those with more than ten years of expertise might range from £65,000 to £1,000,000. Hourly prices range from just £20 for a newly trained criminal law barrister to £900 for a tax specialist. As a practicing barrister, you can expect to earn anywhere from £25,000 to over £100,000 per year.
In the United States, barristers can earn over $148,304 annually. The average barrister earns $121,299 per year. Barristers earn the most in Los Angeles, California, with an average total remuneration of $121,299, which is 0% higher than the national average. Barristers’ salaries in the United States range from $55,870 to $187,200, with a typical of $115,820. Barristers in the middle 60 percent earn $115,820, while the top 80 percent earn $187,200.
Barristers in Nigeria earn an average of over N80, 000 for a start. The length of time you have been practicing law is one factor that will affect your monthly compensation. Technically, the more you know about your service, the more money you’ll make. As a result, it’s common to have lawyers with higher pay than others. Attorneys with less than two years of experience (entry-level) typically earn between 75,000 and 90,000 NGN per month. Someone with a three to five-year (mid-level) legal background should expect to make at least 150,000 NGN per month.
If you have between five and ten years of experience, you are considered a senior lawyer. Your monthly salary could reach 450,000 NGN. Salaries vary depending on the type of law you want to practice. A mid-level legal counsellor, for example, can make up to 320,000 NGN per month, while a Court Clerk can earn up to 47,000 NGN per month. Corporate in-house lawyers at the mid and senior levels can earn between 250,000 and 700,000 NGN per month, while their level entry attorneys can earn between 100,000 and 150,000 NGN per month.
A senior associate lawyer’s salary is 300,000 NGN, a Finance Associate’s salary is 249,000 NGN, Secretary/Legal Advisers’ salaries are 147,000 NGN, and an Entertainment Lawyer’s entry-level income in Nigeria is 105K NGN. Most lawyers are stuck in low-paying positions for a long period because there are so many lawyers compared to demand. Several law firms, on the other hand, pay prominent lawyers a large sum of money. However, the salary scale of barristers varies across states, for example, barristers in Abuja receive a relatively higher salary than those in other states.