Pathways to Becoming Barrister in England and Wales

The journey to becoming a barrister involves a rigorous and structured process designed to ensure the highest standards of professional competence and ethical conduct. This process is essential because barristers play a critical role in the administration of justice. As legal professionals entrusted by the public and their peers, barristers must exhibit exemplary behaviour and competence to justify this trust. Although the career can be exceptionally rewarding and varied, gaining entry to the Bar is highly competitive, with far more aspiring barristers than available opportunities.

Overview of the Path to Becoming a Barrister
The training pathway for barristers consists of three key components: the academic component, the vocational component, and the pupillage or work-based learning component. Prospective barristers come from diverse educational and professional backgrounds. Many pursue the Bar after completing a law degree, but others take a different route, such as studying a non-law subject followed by a law conversion course like the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). Popular non-law degrees include history, economics, and foreign languages, reflecting the broad appeal of a career at the Bar.

For those with legal or non-legal degrees, the law degree or GDL must include the seven foundations of legal knowledge and essential legal skills like research. You are also required to join one of the Inns of Court before commencing vocational training, though they may choose to join earlier. Some Authorised Education and Training Organisations offer integrated courses combining the academic and vocational components, allowing you to streamline your path to qualification. Additionally, the pupillage component, which involves supervised practical training, can begin before being Called to the Bar, but the second stage, where a pupil practises under supervision, requires that you have been Called.

If you are a qualified lawyer from another jurisdiction or profession, such as solicitors or foreign lawyers, you may receive exemptions from certain components of the process based on your qualifications and experience. This can significantly shorten your route to practise as a barrister in England and Wales.

An alternative pathway, the Barrister Apprenticeship, has been introduced to provide a more accessible route into the profession. It is a structured programme that integrates academic study, vocational training, and practical experience over a period of approximately five years. This pathway allows aspiring barristers to earn while they learn, combining on-the-job training with formal education.

The Academic Component
The academic stage of Bar training provides the foundational knowledge expected of all barristers in England and Wales. This is achieved through either a qualifying law degree or a non-law degree supplemented by the GDL. A minimum of a 2:2 classification is required. During this stage, students study the seven foundations of legal knowledge, which form the backbone of legal understanding.

The Vocational Component
The vocational component is designed to develop the specialist skills and knowledge necessary for effective practice as a barrister. This includes training in procedural and evidential matters, as well as developing professional attitudes and competencies. Completion of a Bar Training Course is required for this stage, and you must demonstrate fluency in English and membership of an Inn of Court. Additionally, you must participate in qualifying sessions hosted by your Inns, which are designed to foster professional development and collegiality.

Once the vocational stage is successfully completed, you are Called to the Bar by your Inn of Court. However, you cannot practise as a barrister until you have completed the final stage of training: pupillage.

The Pupillage/Work-Based Learning Component
Pupillage is a period of practical, supervised training undertaken under the guidance of an experienced barrister, and it is a prerequisite for practising independently. This stage is divided into two six-month periods: a non-practising period and a practising period. During pupillage, you receive a minimum financial award, although many earn above this threshold. Securing a pupillage is a highly competitive process, making this stage one of the most challenging parts of the journey to the Bar.

Transferring Qualified Lawyers
If you are already qualified as a solicitor or foreign lawyer and wish to transition to practise as a barrister in England and Wales. Depending on your qualifications and professional experience, you may be exempt from some or all of the training requirements. Some exemptions are conditional upon passing the Bar Transfer Test.

Barrister Apprenticeship
The Barrister Apprenticeship is an innovative pathway to qualifying as a barrister in England and Wales, comparable to the Solicitor Apprenticeship introduced in 2016. Jointly developed by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and the Bar Standards Board (BSB), this programme establishes a new Barrister Apprenticeship Standard that defines the essential skills, knowledge, and behaviours required of practising barristers. Aligned with the BSB’s Authorisation Framework, the apprenticeship standard offers an alternative route to qualification, complementing the three existing pathways. The BSB will continue to set and oversee the requirements for apprentices and training providers across all qualification routes, ensuring consistent standards and maintaining the high level of competence expected within the profession.

In summary, becoming a barrister is a demanding process that requires academic excellence, vocational training, practical experience or apprenticeship. The pathways are structured to maintain the high standards of the profession, ensuring that all barristers are equipped to uphold the rule of law and serve the interests of justice.