Break Through The Bar

Becoming a barrister can feel overly complicated, but it’s actually a clear path once you know the steps. If you’re in college or just about to start university, here’s what you need to know, explained in plain English.

University

The first step is getting a law qualification. If you want to become a barrister, you either take a law degree (called an LLB), which covers all the key areas of law, or if your degree is in something else, you do a conversion course like the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). This is like a “catch-up” course that teaches you the basics of law so everyone starts the next stage on the same footing. This stage is all about building your foundation – knowing the rules and principles that you’ll later use in court.

Inns of Court

Next, you’ll need to join an Inn of Court. There are four Inns: Gray’s Inn, Lincoln’s Inn, Inner Temple, and Middle Temple. Think of them like clubs for barristers, but with a serious professional purpose. Your Inn becomes your professional home. They give you access to training workshops, networking events with practising barristers and judges, and even scholarships to help with course fees. Joining an Inn early is important because it’s your first connection to the Bar community and it will also be the place where you are formally “called to the Bar” later on.

The Bar Course

After that comes the Bar Course, also called the Bar Training Course or Bar Practice Course. This is the vocational stage, which focuses on the skills you’ll actually use as a barrister. You’ll learn how to speak in court (advocacy), conduct client conferences, write legal documents, and work with clients.

You’ll also study ethics, which is about knowing what’s right and wrong in legal practice. The Bar Course can be full-time, part-time, or a mix of in-person and online learning, depending on the provider. This stage is your chance to move from studying law to practising law skills.

While you’re doing the Bar Course, you’ll also attend qualifying sessions at your Inn of Court. These are short workshops or events where you learn about life at the Bar, professional standards, and ethical responsibilities. You’ll also demonstrate that you meet the Professional Statement for Barristers, which is basically a checklist of the knowledge, skills, and values all new barristers need. This ensures everyone starts their career with the same understanding of what it means to be a barrister.

Call to the bar

Once you’ve completed the Bar Course and your qualifying sessions, your Inn will Call you to the Bar. This is a big ceremony where you officially become a barrister in name. It’s exciting and traditional, but you’re not ready to practise on your own yet – you still need pupillage.

Pupillage

Pupillage is essentially a one-year apprenticeship with an experienced barrister. It’s split into two six-month periods.

• The first six months are non-practising – you mostly observe your supervisor, help with research, and attend court to learn how cases work in real life.
• The second six months are practising, where you start taking your own cases and representing clients.

Pupillage is crucial because it’s where you actually put your skills into practice and gain real experience. Many pupils are offered tenancy after successful pupillage, which is a permanent position in a barristers’ chambers.

After pupillage, you can begin practising independently. This could be by getting tenancy in chambers or taking an employed role, like working for the government or a company. You’ll now manage your own clients and cases, but you’ll continue learning through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to stay up to date and improve your skills.

Even after years of practising, learning never stops. The Bar is a lifelong learning profession. You’ll attend seminars, do mentoring, take part in pro bono work, and stay on top of legal developments. This is how barristers maintain high standards and build a long, successful career.

The journey to becoming a barrister is challenging, but it’s also rewarding. Every step, from your first law lecture to your first day in court, builds your skills, confidence, and professionalism. If you’re passionate about justice, enjoy thinking on your feet, and want a career that challenges you intellectually and socially, the Bar is an amazing path to take.