Being a barrister is an important profession and it can be a detailed and intense job. We’ve put together this guide to help you step into the shoes of a barrister, getting you prepared for the next stage of your journey by taking you through the day to day responsibilities you’ll be facing and the importance of your barrister attire.
What Does a Barrister Do?
Barristers are commonly known for providing legal advice, representing clients in court and advising them on the ins and outs of their case. They can also start legal proceedings in court on behalf of their client.
When carrying out your daily jobs, you will be expected to write out legal documents, liaise with other court officials and put research into your cases. Your jobs in court meanwhile will involve representing your client, cross-examining witnesses and reviewing evidence. You may also negotiate settlements though this can be done out of court.
The personal responsibilities of a barrister during the course of their work and while they are in session include:
- Supplying the court with all the relevant information of the case
- Maintaining integrity while acting in the best interest of their clients
- Keeping their client’s information confidential
- Not discriminating against their client or any persons in court
- Taking special care with vulnerable clients whether that be a disability, age, income status or immigration status
A barrister should make sure to always keep these responsibilities in mind when performing their job to ensure that they maintain their honesty and reliability.
The Areas of Law a Barrister Works In
When you finally start your career as a barrister, you will likely specialise in one area of the law in particular, something you may already have decided on during your studies.
Some of the practice areas you can get involved in as an established barrister include:
- Criminal law – handling cases that deal with crimes such as theft, vandalism or murder
- Youth court – handling cases that deal with people between the ages of 10 and 17
- Family law – handling cases that deal with divorce, child welfare and domestic violence
- Immigration law – handling cases that deal with immigration, asylum appeals and helping businesses to acquire immigration statuses for employees
- Commercial law – handling cases that deal with employment law, insurance claims, import and export and property law
The Four Inns of Court
To qualify to become a barrister, you must first join one of the Inns of Court in London, professional associations that offer scholarships and academic and vocational training. The four Inns of Court are:
- Gray’s Inn – the smallest inn provides a close-knit community of barristers that provide aid and support
- The Inner Temple – has a wide reputation for global membership and encourages diversity in its membership
- Lincoln’s Inn – the largest of the four Inns, priding itself on helping students succeed regardless of background
- Middle Temple – provides £1 million a year for its students and aids them with sponsorship schemes and advocacy training among other services
It will generally take five years to become a fully qualified barrister, including three years at university for your law degree, one year on a Bar course and one year in chambers. It’s important to choose the right Inn to gain a sense of community and reach all the milestones and achievements you hope to reach.
Selecting an Inn is entirely subjective so if you’re just starting out on your law journey at university, be sure to attend the tours of each of the Inns and find the perfect one for you.
How Does a Barrister Prepare for Court?
As we mentioned earlier, barristers have numerous responsibilities to perform in court whether you’re working as prosecution or defence.
After getting together your research and documents for the trial or hearing in court, you will prepare for court by dressing yourself in the barrister gown and wig. You will not be required to wear a wig in Youth Court or in cases involving family law in order to create a more friendly and relaxing environment for minors. Wigs are still a requirement for criminal trials.
Preparing Your Barrister Wig
Barrister wigs are the most expensive part of the barrister attire ensemble and will typically be made out of traditional horsehair or hemp, for a vegan option.
For your first barrister wig, you should measure your head to ensure you get a wig that fits. Measure the circumference of your head with a tape measure around the forehead, about one inch above the eye. Make sure not to squeeze the tape too tight as you won’t get an accurate reading otherwise.
If your head measurement is between two sizes, go for the largest size. Barrister wigs often have drawstrings at the back so that you can adjust the fit accordingly.
Looking After Your Barrister Wig
When looked after properly, your wig can last for a hundred years. Leather cases will protect the wig from the elements while wig tins punched with holes will provide an easy and inexpensive way of carrying the wig while allowing it to breathe.
Wigs can become damaged over time from the oils and sweats produced from your hair and head, resulting in bad odours. A professional wig cleaning service will help to reshape your wig and remove any dirt that has gathered, creating a fresh and professional appearance.
If you are washing your wig yourself for the next day of work, use warm water and a cloth to gently wipe the horsehair. Don’t be too vigorous as this can cause your wig to lose its shape, pulling hairs out of alignment.
Preparing Your Barrister Gown
Your barrister gown is the most important part of your lawyer attire. The measurements of your barrister robe will take in your full body from the top of your head to your feet. This is the only measurement you’ll need to find the right fit for your gown.
When you put it on, make sure that the gown hangs straight and evenly on your shoulders. Adjust the sleeves and then put on any extra accessories you will require. Male barristers will generally wear a white band around the neck while female barristers will wear a bib and collarette.
The collarette is not a requirement however and female barristers can also choose to wear the band. All bands must be worn over a wing-collared white tunic shirt.
Looking After Your Barrister Gown
After work, a barrister will store their gown in a barrister bag, usually embroidered with their initials for easy identification. This will help to keep your gown safe from dust and outside pollutants while travelling and help you to stay looking neat and professional.
Make sure your robes are always hung up when not in use to avoid creases from setting into the fabric.
Dry cleaning with low steam is the best way to have your barrister gown cleaned, protecting the delicate fabric from wear and tear. You can also hand wash the robes with warm water and laundry detergent. Be sparing with water and cleaning products to avoid damaging the fabric and make sure to clean stains with a gentle brush or cloth.
The Daily Working Life of a Barrister
After cleaning, prepping and putting on your barrister attire, you’ll be ready to start the day’s work.
Barrister Responsibilities in the Morning
The barrister’s morning will start early. You’ll usually find yourself waking up around 6am. Depending on how far you have to travel to arrive at court, you may have to wake up earlier, giving yourself enough time to prepare your documents when you arrive.
You will use this time before court begins to brief your client and talk about game plans for the upcoming trial or hearing. You may discuss evidence and prep them for testimonies, giving them advice on how to handle themselves while court is in session.
You may also need to meet with the opposition, be that persecution or defence. Court sessions will generally start around 10am with barristers expected to arrive at least an hour earlier.
Afternoon Responsibilities of a Barrister
During the later hours of the morning and the afternoon, a barrister will be spending most of their time in court if they have a trial or hearing they have been preparing for. This will involve interviewing and cross-examining witnesses, presenting evidence and making opening and closing statements.
On days where you aren’t scheduled to appear for court, you’ll be carrying out a lot of the heavy lifting for preparing for cases. This can include:
- Briefs and interviews with clients
- Researching cases
- Writing out legal documents
- Negotiating with other legal aides
Evening Responsibilities of a Barrister
Often, you’ll find that your daily work spills over into the night, with heavy workloads requiring more time and energy to ensure the work is completed properly.
This will include catching up on research, finishing up on writing documents or prepping your speeches and questions for when you appear in court. If possible, always try to get a good night’s sleep the evening before a court appearance.
Being a barrister is tough but rewarding but with the right preparation, you can focus better on the tasks and responsibilities and make the most of each day in your new position.
Wearing the right barrister outfit can also help to make you feel more comfortable in your career, helping you to feel more in control and confident as you represent clients in court. You can check out our guides on taking care of your barrister gown and wig for more information and browse our range of barrister outfits and wigs in our legal product collection.
