How much do barristers get paid in the UK?

Asked by: Angelita Nitzsche  |  Last update: December 7, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (52 votes)

Self-employed barristers with more than ten years' experience earn between £100,000 to £300,000 depending on their area of practice. A small percentage of barristers at the top end of the profession earn between £500,000 to £1million. Employed barristers can expect to earn from £90,000 to in excess of £150,000.

How much does a UK barrister earn?

An average barrister salary in London is anything from £50,000 to £200,000 based on five years' experience, but as there are many areas of law, this can vary. For those with over ten years' experience, earnings can range from £65,000 to £1,000,000. Those based in London and bigger cities will often earn more too.

Who is the highest paid barrister in the UK?

The annual Bar Council report from November 2023 states that the top earning self-employed barristers made up to £1.8-£1.9 million last year. Lord Pannick KC and Graham Aaronson KC are two of the barristers who frequently appear in the lists of the most successful and top earning barristers.

How much is a barrister per hour UK?

The average fees charged per hour are £200 to £250 plus VAT.

How hard is it to become a barrister in the UK?

It's extremely hard work and every element of it is tough and the competition is fierce. Be prepared and understand the applications schedule, do tailored applications for each pupillage at the most likely Chambers and get a financial award from an Inn of Court. Pass the BPTC with Outstanding if possible. Simples!

This Is How Much UK Lawyers Make - Solicitor And Barrister Salaries REVEALED!!

43 related questions found

Who is the youngest qualified barrister in the UK?

Gabrielle Turnquest became the youngest person in the UK to be called to the bar in 600 years, after qualifying as a barrister at the tender age of 18 years old.

What happens after you pass the bar?

Bar Dues and CLE Courses

Additionally, your days of law school studying aren't over either. In some states, after you are sworn into the bar, you have to complete several hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credits targeted towards newer attorneys transitioning into the actual practice of law.

What country pays barristers the most?

10 Highest Paying Countries for Lawyers
  • Australia – Average Annual Salary (AUD 119,278) ...
  • New Zealand – Average Annual Salary (NZD 84,047) ...
  • Netherlands – Average Annual Salary (EUR 65,000) ...
  • Ireland – Average Annual Salary (EUR 77,148) ...
  • Switzerland – Average Annual Salary (CHF 140,000)

Do barristers earn more than solicitors UK?

Generally speaking, solicitors earn more than paralegals and barristers have the potential to earn more than solicitors in the long term. However at the outset, as barrister's are often self-employed, their salaries fluctuate and can vary widely.

How much does it cost to train as a barrister UK?

You can also read LCN's guide to SQE preparation courses for details on education providers offering these programmes. Meanwhile, fees for the various Bar courses range in price from just under £15,000 to £16,450 (plus living costs) or from around £17,450 to £19,25 for the LLM for 2024/25.

What is the richest type of lawyer in the UK?

The most profitable legal area is commercial and corporate law, where solicitors can easily earn over £100,000 a year. Commercial lawyers provide business-related advice to companies, making sure that they comply with regulation and a particular country's legal system.

What type of lawyer gets paid most?

Corporate and tax lawyers tend to be the highest earners, with patent and IP lawyers not far behind. Trial lawyers also pull down a lot of money, particularly in the civil litigation field.

What are the levels of barrister in the UK?

THE LEVELS OF MEMBERSHIP

Each of the four Inns has three levels of membership - students, barristers, and Masters of the Bench or "benchers".

What type of barrister makes the most money?

Barristers specialising in niche areas, such as environmental law, tax law, or international law, often charge higher fees due to their expertise.

Do barristers still wear wigs?

Wigs are still commonplace in the courtroom, almost thought of as a uniform, to maintain the long tradition and formality of the legal system. However, the wigs have undergone some changes.

Who is the barrister of India?

Ambedkar was a notable Indian barrister, father of the Indian Constitution and the first Law Minister of India. In India, the law relating to barristers is the Advocates Act, 1961, which is administered and enforced by the Bar Council of India.

Which branch of law makes the most money?

1. What Type of Lawyer Makes the Most Money? Patent lawyers, IP attorneys, and trial lawyers make the most money.

What are the advantages of barristers UK?

They are independant lawyers with specialist knowledge and experience in and out of court, which can make a substantial difference to the outcome of a case. Advice from a barrister at an early stage of a dispute can help to avoid unnecessary and costly litigation.

What is the highest paying job with a law degree UK?

THE HIGHEST PAYING LEGAL JOBS
  • IMMIGRATION BARRISTER. ...
  • LEGAL MANAGER. ...
  • CIVIL LITIGATION BARRISTER. ...
  • INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PARALEGAL. ...
  • CORPORATE BARRISTER. ...
  • PATENT BARRISTER. ...
  • CONCLUSION. ...
  • OXBRIDE ADMISSIONS TUTOR.

Who is the richest barrister in the UK?

The earnings are not ranked in any order, but these are all senior barristers who have earnings well over the seven figures.
  • Lord Pannick KC. ...
  • David Goldberg KC. ...
  • Lord Grabiner KC. ...
  • Chris Daw KC. ...
  • Graham Aaronson KC. ...
  • Jamie Dawson KC.

Which country pays doctors the most?

The following are the best countries that offer lucrative job opportunities for doctors and allow them to grow professionally.
  • Switzerland. Switzerland tops the chart when it comes to the highest-paying countries for doctors and related healthcare professionals. ...
  • Canada. ...
  • Luxembourg. ...
  • USA. ...
  • Ireland. ...
  • Australia. ...
  • Austria. ...
  • Belgium.

How much does a barrister earn in India?

Employees as Barrister & Solicitor earn an average of ₹24.0lakhs, mostly ranging from ₹24.0lakhs per year to ₹24.0lakhs per year based on 1 profiles. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹24.0lakhs per year.

How many times fail bar exam?

You're in luck! There is no limit to the number of times you can take the bar exam in the state of California.

Can you call yourself a lawyer after passing the bar?

Though a lawyer is someone who has completed law school and passed the bar exam, you don't have to practice law in court to be considered a lawyer. Lawyers may take on roles as consultants or advisors.

How hard is the bar exam?

The bar exam is hard. In fact, it may be one of the most difficult challenges you ever embark on. You must memorize numerous laws and consume a lot of knowledge to answer questions correctly. For many, it feels like trying to hold sand in your hands, knowing that you'll inevitably lose much of it.