What do barristers earn

When the government consulted on these changes, it said the aim was to make sure barristers were paid fairly for complex cases, particularly "taking into account the fact that more and more evidence is submitted electronically".

This relatively new wealth of digital evidence means lawyers have far greater volumes of material to go through to prepare for a trial. But the Criminal Bar Association says, despite the new system, these fixed fees don't take into account all the preparation that goes into a trial. And if the trial is dropped, that fee can be significantly reduced - even if all the work has already been done on it.

The association is concerned that this will lead to many barristers turning down particularly prosecution work, which attracts lower pay, putting at risk the ability to secure convictions. When many of the cuts to publicly funded law were ushered in, in , Baroness Hale warned that it could also have an impact on diversity in the legal profession, making people "who don't fit the male, public school boy model" less able to succeed at the bar.

The CPS is currently reviewing the pay of prosecuting barristers. Read more from Reality Check. Much of their work involves conducting research. Some specialise in specific areas: criminal, commercial and family law are the most common, while other specialisms can include employment or labour law and human rights law, personal injury and litigation.

Barristers do not usually deal with the public directly. A barrister may only carry out work if instructed by specified categories of professionals, including solicitors for all types of work and in connection with non-contentious matters — accountants, surveyors, architects and tax experts in their areas of expertise. Travel: travel within a working day is a common feature, although it is relatively rare to travel or work overseas.

Working hours: frequent long, unsocial hours involving evenings and weekends, particularly for the newly qualified, despite courts sitting at regular hours during the day. Opportunities for self-employment: most barristers are self-employed as sole practitioners. Barristers are self-employed. However, some are employed outside of practice in in-house legal counsel positions with corporations and large organisations. Barristers will normally practise in one circuit.

In Northern Ireland, barristers are based at the Bar Library in Belfast, which provides office and library facilities. Barristers work from a new library building in Chichester Street and the old library at the Royal Courts of Justice. They also work at a number of other courts and tribunals around Northern Ireland.

Like all barristers, they will do much preparation work at home. They may also take on prosecution work on behalf of the state. The Civil Service has been a traditional career path for many qualified barristers, who can enter at Administrative Officer level or higher, working in any government department. Some in-house legal counsel positions arise with corporations and large organisations, and are usually open to barristers or solicitors.

In Northern Ireland, there are a limited number of opportunities for barristers in the public sector. A barrister or 'counsel' at the start of their career is known as a junior counsel and it usually takes a few years to build up a practice.

After approximately 12 years in practice, a junior counsel can apply to become a senior counsel — a status awarded by the Government and reserved for barristers of particular ability and experience. About 12 per cent of barristers are senior counsel.

Republic of Ireland: Income is by fees rather than regular salary and can be low during the first few years. This can be a very lucrative profession for some individuals. Admission to the Barrister-at-Law degree course is via an entrance exam. To be eligible to take the entrance exam a candidate must hold either an approved law degree or the Society's Diploma in Legal Studies. On successful completion of the degree course students are conferred with the degree of Barrister-at-Law.

Only holders of the degree may be called to the Bar by the Chief Justice and admitted to practise in the Courts of Ireland as a member of the Bar of Ireland.

Currently, new barristers must spend at least 12 months in pupillage, split into two sixes with a barrister's chambers or another approved legal environment. All pupils are assigned a supervisor who oversees and organises the training and work. Your first 'six' will involve observing and assisting your supervisor and other barristers from chambers. During the second six you'll take on some work of your own, under supervision.

Due to intense competition, some pupils are not offered tenancy at the end of their pupillage and may undertake a third six with a different set of chambers.

During this period you do your own work but are not a tenant. Candidates who do not get a pupillage on their first attempt are able to reapply but need to obtain a pupillage within five years of completing a Bar course.

During the interim period between applications, it's worth obtaining additional legal experience. In order to practise as barrister, you must be registered with the Bar Council and have a Practising Certificate, which is renewed annually online via the Authorisation to Practice renewal process.

Newly qualified barristers must complete 45 hours of continuing professional development CPD , including at least nine hours of advocacy training and three hours of ethics, during their first three years of practice on the New Practitioners Programme.

For more information, see the BSB. Upon completion of pupillage, you can apply for tenancy and become a junior barrister in chambers. The cases you deal with will become increasingly serious and complex. Challenges to career development for self-employed barristers at this stage may include limited finances, long hours required to cover cases and managing your own workload.

Because of this, career development and financial stability is very much dependent on your cases, your approach to work and your ability to successfully build up a practice and reputation. Alternatively, barristers may choose to practise at the employed Bar and apply for positions with in-house legal services departments in commercial companies or public sector organisations. Career progression may involve leading a team or moving into the higher levels of general management. Senior barristers from both the self-employed and employed Bar can apply to 'take silk' and become Queen's Counsel QC.

This involves leading in very serious cases or entering the judiciary as a recorder prior to becoming a judge. You'll usually need a minimum of 15 years' practice to be able to apply. Getting involved with professional bodies and groups such as the Young Barristers' Committee YBC , part of The Bar Council, from an early stage can help to raise your profile and develop your professional skills.

Career development requires a creative approach to career opportunities and the ability to think laterally - success may depend on choosing a specialist area in which you can develop a reputation. Jobs and work experience Search graduate jobs Job profiles Work experience and internships Employer profiles What job would suit me?

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View all law vacancies. Add to favourites. In this demanding, highly rewarding field, you'll need an analytical mind, a logical approach and excellent attention to detail to succeed Barristers in England and Wales are specialists in advocacy and represent individuals or organisations in court.

Types of barrister You'll usually specialise in a particular area of law such as: chancery law estates and trusts commercial law common law includes family, housing and personal injury law criminal law entertainment law environmental law sports law.

Responsibilities Work activities depend on a range of factors, including your area of practice. However, your main focus is on solving problems and resolving disputes, and you'll typically need to: take instruction from clients and their solicitors understand and interpret the law master and manage legal briefs cases undertake legal research into relevant points of law write opinions and advise solicitors and other professionals prepare cases for court, including holding client conferences and preparing legal arguments advise clients on matters of law and evidence and the strength of their case represent clients in court present arguments in court examine and cross-examine witnesses sum up the reasons why the court should support your client's case draft legal documents negotiate settlements.

For example: the work of a criminal barrister is likely to involve a lot of advocacy in court a family law barrister may be representing clients in court in a contact dispute or divorce case, but may also be involved in mediation as a way of avoiding the need to go to court barristers practising chancery or commercial law are generally in court far less than those in other practice areas and instead spend more time undertaking drafting and advisory work.

However, some chambers offer substantially more than the minimum. Income figures are intended as a guide only.