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.