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Barrister apprenticeships

Barristers and judges > Barrister

Law and legal

Barrister apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

  • a university course
  • working towards this role


    • University

    You could: 

    • do a law degree 
    • do a non-law degree followed by the Graduate Diploma in Law 
    You would then complete a period of professional training which includes: 

    • the one-year Bar Professional Training Course 
    • a follow-on year of practical training, called a pupillage 
    To get into some universities you'll need to pass the Law National Aptitude Test (LNAT). You'll usually need 2 to 3 A-Levels, or equivalent. 

    Work
    You could start your career by working in a law firm or the law department of an organisation. With support from your employer, you could complete a qualification like the Level 6 Professional Higher Diploma in Law through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives. Solicitors can apply to become barristers by approval of the Bar Standards Board and sitting a Bar Transfer Test. 

    Professional and industry bodies
    You could join The Bar Council, for professional development, training opportunities and to make industry contacts.

    Barrister apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need:

    • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
    • knowledge of English language 
    • excellent verbal communication skills 
    • active listening skills 
    • analytical thinking skills
    • the ability to read English 
    • to be thorough and pay attention to detail 
    • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning 
    • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
    Restrictions and Requirements
    You'll need to pass background checks

    Barrister apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    Your day-to-day duties could include: 

    • having meetings with clients and taking on cases (briefs)
    • researching the law relating to previous similar cases
    • reading witness statements and reports 
    • offering advice and providing written legal opinion 
    • negotiating settlements out of court
    • preparing legal arguments and getting briefs ready for court 
    • cross-examining witnesses and presenting the case to the judge and jury 
    • summing up the case
    Working environment
    You could work in a court, at chambers or in an office. Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

    Career path and progression - Barrister apprenticeships

    With experience you could find employment with firms supplying legal services in commerce, finance or industry. You could lead a team or move into general management. You could also apply to become a Queen's Counsel (QC), a judge or an ombudsman.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

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