Becoming a barristerSussex University

Helen Carter

GDL tutor, College of Law

www.college-of-law.co.uk

Routes to a career in law

Qualifying degree in English Law

If you intend to become a barrister

Bar Professional Training Course

Full-time 1 yrPart-time 2 yrs

Pupillage

6 monthsnon-practisingand 6 months

practising

Call to the Bar

Non-qualifying law degree or degree other than English

Law

Graduate Diploma In Law

Full-time 1 yrPart-time 2 yrs

If you intend to become a solicitor

Legal Practice Course

Full-time 1 yrPart-time 2 yrs

Admission as a solicitor

Training Contract

2 years including Professional Skills

Course

Barristers must be able to:

• Analyse complex problems

• Research accurately & update knowledge

• Understand business & social issues

• Be confident in difficult situations

• Persuade through argument

• Work with others & communicate effectively

• Organise, prioritise & self-motivate

College of Law GDL

• Outstanding opportunities including practitioner events, mooting, mock trials, probono centre & careers service

• Preparing for Practice module on GDL

• Various part time & full time study options

• Support from time you accept your place

• Specialist advice & knowledge for intending barristers

College of Law BPTC

• Civil & criminal trial processes taught in order from start to finish

• Continuous integration of knowledge subjects & skills subjects

• Classrooms are courtrooms

• Small advocacy training groups for maximum chances to practise

• LLB if both GDL & BPTC done with us

Creating a strong CV

• Mini pupillages are expected, but can be hard to get before starting GDL / LLB

• Marshalling is an excellent opportunity

• In-house legal departments & solicitors firms are also valuable experiences

→ some firms prefer ‘work shadowing’

• Charity work, public speaking & community projects can be done now

Brace yourselves!

• Approx 500 pupillages for 1,500 passing BPTC each year. Around 50% of students passing BPTC nationwide never even secure a pupillage interview

• Only one third of pupils find a tenancy

• Average cost of BPTC year estimated at over £20,000 including living costs

Scholarships (GDL & BPTC)

• Visit the Inns of Court websites to compare scholarship opportunities

• Some have a few large scholarships

• Others give out more but smaller ones

• You do not have to join until the scholarship decision has been made

• You can only apply to one Inn of Court & joining early allows use of facilities

Pupillage applications

• Online portal – you choose 12 chambers, some parts of the form are generic, some parts are specific

- end March to end April to apply online, interviews are then in May or June

• Others – some chambers opt out & have their own forms & timetables

• See www.pupillages.com

Apply wisely!

• London or the regions?

• Large or small chambers?

• Area of work - link to interests, academics and personal skill set plus…

• Type of work - lots of court appearances or researching in a library?

- travelling or staying in one city?

• Look at current tenants on websites

Pupillage year

• First six months = non practicing

• Second six months = you start to run cases

• Third six = many pupils do an extra six months to gain further experience

• Grants / money received must be at least £12,000 total for the year

• You also must do further training courses at your Inn of Court (advocacy & accounting)

What if I don’t get tenancy?

• Undertake a third six in a different chambers → may lead to tenancy

• Become a ‘squatter’ → may lead to tenancy

• Go in-house within a company, law firm or governmental department

• Legal Services Act 2007 may well create some new & interesting roles

Maximise your chances

• Focus on exams – get a first or 2:1• Use university & CoL careers service• Keep up-to-date with legal issues• Visit court & gain work experience• Join in with charity work, debating etc• Apply for GDL scholarships by April,

BPTC in November

Good luck!