What is the life of a barrister UK?

Asked by: Ryan Jacobs  |  Last update: July 31, 2025
Score: 4.2/5 (21 votes)

In the UK, the role of barristers is to be specialists in court advocacy and independent sources of legal advice to their clients. UK barristers are most likely to be self-employed and working in chambers.

How much does a UK barrister make?

Barrister salaries in the UK can also fluctuate depending on the area of law they practise. For instance, criminal barristers typically earn around £86,000 annually, while commercial barristers often bring in about £96,000 annually.

What is the life of a barrister?

Life as a barrister is fast-paced and your instructions for a case can change very quickly. As such, you're never too far away from your e-mail inbox. Also, if you're appearing in court that day things often need urgent attention. After that, what I do really depends upon the day.

How many hours do barristers work UK?

As a guide, you can expect the day to start around 8.30 am and finish at 7 pm, with later finishing hours for busier days. Barristers depend on solicitors for the bulk of their instructions, so being available on-demand means more income, exposure and experience.

What is the difference between a barrister and a lawyer in England?

In the legal system of England and Wales, both solicitors and barristers are legal professionals who have distinct roles and responsibilities. The main difference is that a barrister defends people in Court through effective public speaking and advocacy, while a solicitor does legal work outside Court.

What makes a good barrister?

15 related questions found

How hard is it to become a barrister UK?

The Bar Course (formally the BPTC) is expensive and tough. It's a one-year course which you are required to undertake before starting pupillage. Around 1,000 individuals graduate from the BPC each year. The decision about whether to go to Bar School is a difficult one.

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 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.

How many barristers are there in the UK?

There are approximately 17,000 barristers, of whom about ten percent are King's Counsel and approximately twenty percent are young barristers (i.e., under seven years' Call). In April 2023, there were 13,800 barristers in self-employed practice.

Who earns more barrister or solicitor 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 long is the barrister course in the UK?

It takes one year to complete a Bar course if you study full time, but two-year, part-time options are available. The amount of time you spend in the classroom will vary but on full-time courses you can expect between 10 and 16 hours a week.

What is the highest paying job in the UK?

1. Chief Executives and Senior Officials. Unsurprisingly, chief executives like CEOs and Managing Directors have the best-paying jobs. After all, they're the highest-ranking individuals in an organisation.

What is the equivalent of a barrister in America?

Barristers are involved in and litigation , similar to “trial lawyers” or “ litigators ” in the United States, except such lawyers in America may perform tasks beyond courtroom advocacy, unlike barristers.

Who is the top barrister in England?

Top 20 barristers by Supreme Court appearances, 2011-2020 inclusive
  • Sir James Eadie QC. Blackstone.
  • Richard Drabble QC. Landmark.
  • Martin Chamberlain QC. Brick Court (now a judge) ...
  • Michael Fordham QC. Blackstone (now a judge)
  • Jason Coppel QC. 11KBW.
  • Karon Monaghan QC. Matrix.
  • Dinah Rose QC. Blackstone. ...
  • Lord Keen QC.

How difficult is the bar?

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.

What is the difference between a barrister and a solicitor?

Barristers are specialists in advocacy, wearing wigs and gowns whilst representing clients in higher courts. Whilst solicitors handle day-to-day legal work, barristers are typically brought in for complex court proceedings and specialist opinions.

Why do British judges wear white wigs?

Wearing wigs in the UK courts dates back to the 17th century. During this time, wigs were not exclusive to the legal profession but were a fashionable accessory among the British elite. Judges began adopting wigs as a symbol of their social status and authority.

What does a peruke do?

Heavy wigs or a padding of false hair, worn by men and women alike, are known from an early period. They served not only as an adornment but also to protect the wearer's head from the burning rays of the Sun, thus in a way acting as hats.

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 branch of law makes the most money?

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. Other lawyers are more motivated by getting justice for their clients than by collecting the largest possible paycheck.

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 difficult is the bar exam in the UK?

BUT it was quite a bit harder than I had imagined. It's not intellectually stretching in the sense the BCL was, nor are the pass marks particularly high (so you can afford to drop quite a few marks and make quite a few mistakes). It's just a slog. There is lots to get through and not necessarily loads of shortcuts.

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 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 is a barrister called in England?

barrister, one of the two types of practicing lawyers in England and Wales, the other being the solicitor. In general, barristers engage in advocacy (trial work) and solicitors in office work, but there is a considerable overlap in their functions.