They give specialized advice on the law and may advertise their services to the public. Some barristers are employed in the Army Legal Services giving advice on all aspects of service and civil law which may affect the Army.
In Scotland, advocates are the equivalent of barristers.
Qualifications and Training
Full details of qualifications required for admission are available from the General Council of the Bar, but generally students are expected to hold a UK law degree with second class honors or better, or a non-law degree at the same standard plus a pass in a special one-year course known as the Common Professional Examination.
Every intending barrister must join one of the four Inns of Court and complete the necessary dining terms before Call.
Students intending to practice must also attend the one-year full- time vocational course. From 1997 a number of institutions will offer this course (list available from the Bar Council). Students’ successful completion of the course will be assessed in the practical work, and in tests and examinations carried out during the year. Success in this is followed by Call and one-year pupillage under the personal instruction and guidance of a barrister. Pupillage may involve researching relevant details of a case, setting them out in detail and drafting documents. During the first six months pupillage pupils may attend court but may not accept briefs.
After completing pupillage a barrister has to find a ‘seat’ in an existing set of barristers chambers. Some may choose to work as employed barristers and enter the Civil Service, local government or commerce and industry. About 15 years after being established at the Bar a barrister may apply for a patent as a Queens Counsel. Although ‘taking silk’ (as it is known) is usual (hut not obligatory it a barrister wishes to become a high court judge. it can have financial penalties and some barristers stay ‘juniors’ throughout their careers at the Bar.
In Scotland, advocates must he admitted to the Faculty of Advocates usually by holding a degree in law. They must also take a course leading to the diploma in legal practice from a Scottish university. If intending to practice in court, it is necessary to serve 21 months’ apprenticeship in a solicitors office followed by nine months in unpaid pupillage to a practicing member of the Faculty and pass the Faculty examination in evidence, pleading and practice.
All advocates practice from the Advocates Library in Edinburgh. Each advocate is assigned to one of ten clerks.
Personal Qualities
Since the work is confidential, an intending barrister needs to be trustworthy and discreet. An excellent command of the English language which ensures the meticulous understanding and use of words is essential. It will be necessary to understand and interpret complex legal wording in clear basic English. Barristers must understand and talk knowledgeably about technical matters in order to be able to cross-examine the most expert witness, for example, on complex aspects of technology. It is also useful if barristers can put on a ‘good performance’ in court and possess certain theatrical qualities.
Starting Salary
Barristers’ earnings relate to the amount and type of their work, their reputation, and, if they share chambers, the apportionment and value of briefs Barristers may find it a struggle to make a living at the beginning of their profession, hut the rewards for those who succeed can he high. in 1997 there is a surplus of barristers.
Further Information
Directorate of Army Legal Services (ALSI). Ministry of Defense, AGC Center, Worthy Down, Winchester 5021 2RG
Faculty of Advocates; The Clerk of Faculty. Advocates Library, Parliament House, 11 Parliament Square, Edinburgh EHI 1RE; 0131 226 5071
General Council of the Bar, 2/3 Cursitor Street. London EC4A INE: 0171 440 4000
(Career as a Barrister’s Clerk )
The barrister’s clerk is the administrator or. more appropriately nowadays, manager of the business chambers. He decides which briefs to accept, which of the barristers in the chamber to give them to, and he then negotiates the fees with the solicitor. Junior clerks run errands and make tea. The accounts. barristers’ appointment hooks, as well as the efficient day-to-day running of the office are all part of the job of an experienced clerk.
Qualifications and Training
The necessary qualifications are four GCSFs. grades A to C. to include maths and English. Training is on the job and juniors can apply through the Institute to attend a two-year part-time BTEC national certificate course studying: organisation. finance, management, law. marketing and chambers administration. On obtaining the certificate juniors may apply after five years’ service for qualified membership of the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks. The Bar in Scotland is divided into ten ‘stables’. each of which is served by an Advocates’ Clerk and a deputy clerk employed by Faculty Services Ltd. Training is provided in service. The job of advocates’ clerk is very similar to that of barrister’s clerk in England and Wales. Their rates of pay arc linked to the Civil Service scale on a level which roughly relates to a comparable post within the courts’ administration. The ten clerks have clerical and secretarial staff hack-up.
Personal Qualities
In order to organize efficient chambers and the barristers who work from them, a barrister’s clerk requires an orderly mind, the ability to work in a team, and to get on with the general public. A good command of written and spoken English, and an appreciation of the necessity for absolute confidentiality at all times are vital to success in this career.
Pankaj Kumar is the author of this article and he writes about career news and other matters. For further detail about Top company jobs and High salary jobs please visit the website.
