What Barristers Do
Barristers provide specialist legal advice and represent their clients in courts and tribunals. The work is intellectually challenging in an intense and demanding professional environment. It is also a very rewarding career.
Barristers’ work varies considerably depending on the area of law they practise in, and their seniority. Typically, barristers do some or all of the following:
- Advising clients on the law and the strength of their legal case. This often requires considerable amounts of legal research, followed by writing an ‘Opinion’ for your client setting out your advice.
- Holding ‘conferences’ with clients to discuss their case and give them legal advice.
- Representing clients in court. This can include presenting the case, cross-examining witnesses, summing up all relevant material and giving reasons why the court should support your case.
- Negotiating settlements with the other side.
Most barristers are self-employed and work in chambers, although approximately 20 percent are “employed barristers” and work for an employer in industry, commerce or central or local government. This is known as the 'Employed Bar'. The role of the employed barrister can vary greatly depending on the employer. The majority will work in specialist legal departments advising only the organisation they work for.
Self-employed barristers work in offices called chambers which they may share with other barristers. On completion of their training, barristers apply for tenancy in a set of chambers.
Barristers’ working hours may be long and varied, including evenings and weekends. A considerable amount of time may be spent travelling to the venue where a case is being heard. Nevertheless, a growing number of barristers balance their work with other commitments, including family.
For information about the nature of barristers work and specialist practice areas please contact the relevant Bar Associations.
The Institutions of the Bar
As an old profession the institutional structure of barristers’ working lives is somewhat complex.
The two most important institutions from the point of view of aspiring barristers are ‘sets of chambers,’ which are where self-employed barristers work, and the ‘Inns of Court’ which are important in training new barristers.
The main other institutions which you may come across are as follows:
The Bar Council, which produces this website, is the barristers’ professional body.
The Bar Standards Board is responsible for maintaining professional standards among barristers.
Specialist Bar Associations (SBAs) are associations dedicated to the interests of particular groups of barristers. SBAs can help to promote their members’ interests, for example responding to proposals for changes to the regulations.
The Circuits. For the purposes of administration and organisation of the court system, England and Wales is divided into six circuits: South Eastern, Midlands, Northern, North Eastern, Western and Wales and Chester. Barristers in chambers on each of these circuits come together to form the circuit, headed by a senior barrister as their Circuit Leader. Circuits undertake similar functions as the Inns in respect of pupillage and training.
The Inns of Court. The Inns are ancient bodies which formerly controlled the activity of the Bar. Overtime they have become responsible for the oversight training of would be barristers. They are the authorised body for Call to the Bar.
