Barrister

Barristers give specialist legal advice and represent individuals or organisations in court. They are independent, objective sources of legal advice who will tell a client about the strengths and weaknesses of their case.

Traditionally, barristers’ clients are other members of the legal profession, such as solicitors and legal executives.

The time spent in court varies according to the area of law in which the barrister practices:

Chancery mainly deals with trusts and estates and commercial law mainly deals with contract. There is some crossover between chancery and commercial and many cover both. This work requires the barrister to absorb detailed information and understand complex scenarios and involves less time in court than other areas of law as a lot of time is spent drafting cases.
Common law is varied and unpredictable, often with work coming in at the last minute, needing preparation at night for the next day. Common law barristers can expect to be in court perhaps three times a week.
Criminal law involves being in court most days and sometimes different courts in one day. Criminal barristers must be able to think quickly on their feet and be able to summarise cases for the jury.
Employment law is mainly contract and statute based so barristers have to keep up to date with changes in the law. It may involve up to four days a week in court.
Family law can include divorce, child issues and financial disputes. Barristers in this field spend much of their time mediating between the parties in the dispute. The work involves frequent court work and may also involve travel to where the clients live.
Personal injury and clinical negligence includes road traffic accidents and hospital treatment. This work requires some interest in medical matters and involves frequent court work.
Public law covers all areas of public life including planning and housing decisions, asylum cases and education. As it covers such a wide field the time spent in court varies.

Other barristers become specialists in areas such as intellectual property, sports law or construction law.

Whichever type of law they choose a barrister’s work is likely to include:

taking instructions from clients and their solicitors
talking to members of other professions such as accountants, surveyors and architects who consult them on behalf of their clients
giving written legal opinions on whether a case would be successful if taken to court
researching similar cases for examples of case law
reading law reports and witness statements to prepare for court cases
representing clients in court by presenting the facts of the case to the judge and jury, examining and cross-examining witnesses and summing up
using a computer for research, report writing and record keeping.

Most barristers are self-employed. Some work in government departments and agencies such as the Office of The Attorney General and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, the Law Reform Commission, the Courts Service, and the Legal Aid Board.

Hours and environment

Barristers generally work long hours including evenings and weekends. They may have to prepare a case or a written opinion at short notice. They may also have to attend evening court sessions.

Most barristers work in offices called chambers. They may have their own office or share one with other barristers. In London, most chambers are in the Inns of Court. In other towns and cities they are near to court buildings.

Occasionally, barristers may work at home or in rented offices. They may spend a lot of time travelling between offices and courts.

For some court cases barristers wear a wig and gown.

Salary and other benefits

These figures are only a guide, as actual rates of pay may vary, depending on the employer and where people live.

The majority of qualified, self-employed barristers earn between €55,000 and €110,000 a year. However, earnings vary considerably depending on experience and reputation and some may earn significantly more than this.

Skills and personal qualities

A barrister should:

have a high level of academic ability
be an excellent communicator in speech and writing
be confident
be able to think logically
be skilled in dealing effectively with a wide range of people
have physical and mental stamina
be discreet in handling confidential information
be able to avoid becoming emotionally involved in distressing cases.

Interests

It is important to:

be interested in the law
enjoy public speaking and debating
enjoy research.

Getting in

King’s Inns School of Law is the only provider of professional training to prospective barristers in Ireland. Admission to the Barrister-at-Law degree course is via an entrance exam. To be eligible to take the entrance exam a candidate must hold either an approved law degree or the Society’s Diploma in Legal Studies

Having passed the Barristers-at-Law degree from the King’s Inns, students are called to the Bar of Ireland by the Chief Justice of Ireland. The first year of your practice must be spent as a pupil (also known as a one-year ‘pupillage’) with an approved Dublin-based practitioner.During the year of pupillage (also known as “devilling”) the pupil or devil must carry out their master’s instructions and learn about the nature of professional practice. During this year, the pupil is not paid.