Consider a career as a barristers' clerk
What it involves
Barristers’ clerks work for barristers’ chambers, groups of self-employed barristers who work together in a particular building and share the costs involved. Clerks provide administrative services for chambers and keep business running smoothly.
Typical duties include:
- negotiating and agreeing fees for cases;
- appropriately allocating cases to barristers, taking into account experience, availability, skills and specialisms; planning barristers’ workloads;
- negotiating and agreeing a timetable of required work; managing financial accounts; organising case fees collection;
- checking computerised diaries and court listings to avoid clashes in commitments;
- undertaking relevant research;
- carrying out administrative and business management activities; seeking work/marketing the chambers via events, seminars etc;
- keeping up-to-date with legal developments, particularly in specialist areas; liaising with solicitors and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS);
- providing the client’s solicitor with information about progress/possible delays in cases; planning cases, including accounting for anticipated number of days in court; and organising meetings between clients, barristers and instructing solicitors.
The work can be stressful and demanding with long hours, heavy work loads and tight deadlines.
What's required
The minimum academic requirements for entry into this field are 4 GCSEs (grades C or above) including English and maths. Personality and relevant experience are usually more important than higher education qualifications, although many clerks also have A Levels and some have degrees. Previous experience gained in a legal, business or court administration position is advantageous. Once you have found a poisition, you can apply to be a member of the Institute of Barristers' Clerks. You usually begin as a junior clerk and progress to senior clerk in time.
Where to find out more
Most jobs are located in London; however, there are also positions in other major cities and a few in smaller cities and large towns. Vacancies are advertised via the Institute of Barristers' Clerks, the internet, local newspapers and relevant publications. Directories such as Chambers UK Client Guide to the Legal Profession, the Bar Directory and The Pupillages Handbook can provide useful contact information for networking and speculative applications. Many chambers run work experience schemes – early/speculative applications for these are essential.
Further help and research for law graduates considering a career as a barristers' clerk
- Institute of Barristers’ Clerks (IBC)
- Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)
- Faculty of Advocates
- The Bar Council
