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Barrister
All you need to know about becoming a Barrister!
Qualifications/ Experience needed:
Law Degree plus bar vocational course.
Your Typical Day:
Alarm goes off at 6am and I think "Oh God where the hell am I today and what am I doing?" I do so much travelling, up and down the country in my little Golf. I arrive in court for 9am for a 10am start and meet my client. I'll have a conference if time allows me and then go in search of my opponent. Usually we'll have a quick chat about the issues and see if anything can be agreed before we go into court. After court I go back to chambers to get my brief for the following day and make a few calls to solicitors about how the case went that day or getting instructions for the following day. I usually manage to slope off before 5pm but sometimes have to stay till 7pm (shock horror). Then there is all the paper work at home...ugh!
What do you love about your job?
I love the flexibility of being self employed-if I want to shop for the rest of the day after court I can-unless I have work pending. If I want to meet someone for a 2 hour lunch I can. I'm totally in control of my day and I arrive and leave exactly when I want.
What do you hate about your job?
I absolutely hate the work in the evenings. It really drives me crazy! Especially when you've made arrangements and are then told you have to have a set of papers in by the next day. The unpredictability of the work load plays havoc with your social life.
How does a young person get started in a career like yours?
Loads and loads of work experience and summers spent working in chambers etc.
Qualities you need for this job?
Determination to succeed, stamina and ability to bull shit and not panic in very stressful situations.
