About Barristers
History
Barristers have been providing expert advice and advocacy since the 13th century. For many years they had a monopoly on the right to represent people in the higher courts. Although that monopoly has gone, the Bar remains a thriving profession offering high quality advice and advocacy. More information is available on the History page.
Find a Barrister
Find a Barrister enables you to find information about a barrister through the Bar Directory, find a barrister to instruct directly, or find a barrister mediator.
Instructing a Barrister
Our Instructing a Barrister section includes information on:
- Fees
- Licensed Access
- Public Access
- List of Barrister Mediators published by the Bar Council
Inns of Court
Although barristers are primarily regulated by the Bar Standards Board, the Inns of Court have an important role in their education and training. Indeed, you can only be a barrister if you have been "Called to the Bar" by an Inn of Court. The Inns provide important library, training and dining facilities in London. Details of them and links to their sites can be found on the Inns of Court page.
Circuits
The country is divided into regions for the purposes of the administration of justice. The Bar practising in each region has formed its own group, known as the Circuit. These provide important sources of support, advice and representation for barristers practising in those areas. More details can be found on the Circuits page.
SBAs
As the law has become more complex, barristers increasingly specialise in particular areas of work. A number of Specialist Bar Associations (SBAs) exist to provide support, training and representation for their members. Further details can be found on the SBAs page.
Other Organisations
This page provides details of Other Organisations related to the Bar.
What Barristers Do
More details about the services offered by barristers can be found on the What Barristers Do page.
Statistics
For more information about the ethnic origin or gender composition of those called to the Bar, overall numbers called to the Bar, and pupils registered with the Bar Council in pupillage, please see the Statistics page.
Judicial Appointments and Silk
Information about Judicial Appointments and Silk is available here.
The Modern Bar
More information about the Barristers and the role of the Bar council can be found in The Modern Bar.
A Guide to the Circuits
Information about the work barristers do on a daily basis in the interests of justice can be found in A Guide to the Circuits.
Practising Certificate Fees
Details about the rules and fees can be found on the Practising Certificate Fees page.
No Bar to the Bar
Further information on social mobility is available here.
