The General Council Of The Bar SPEAKERS FOR SCHOOLS

1. The General Council Of The BarSPEAKERS FOR SCHOOLS Hugh Sims & Mary Cowe Guildhall Chambers Bristol February 2010

2. A CAREER AT THE BAR • MYTHS • Upper /middle class, white men who were educated at public schools • “fat cats” earning £500 per hour • Barristers talk in legal jargon, incomprehensible to ordinary people • Barristers spend all of their time in court • Barristers bully witnesses and try to trip up genuine victims and make them look like liars • Barristers see it as a game – otherwise how could they represent people they know are guilty ? • Employed barristers are not independent, they just work for employers (Accounts for 20% of the profession)

3. A CAREER AT THE BAR • FACTS • Highly competitive • Dedication and commitment • Long hours • Rewarding and fulfilling • Challenging and thrilling • The Professional Code of Conduct – employed/self-employed

4. WHAT DO BARRISTERS DO? • Specialist legal advisers • Akin to a doctor and a consultant • Advising on evidence and the strengths and weaknesses of a case • Conduct the cases and the advocacy in court • Conferences and paperwork • Training for junior entrants to the Bar

5. CAREER OPPORTUNITIES • After 7 years experience, eligible to apply to sit as a Deputy District Judge • After 10 years experience, eligible to apply for “Silk” and have Q.C. after your name, entitles them to wear silk gowns! (accounts for only 10% of the profession) • After 10 years experience, eligible to apply to sit as a Recorder, before applying to become a full time Judge • Chairs of Tribunals etc • Employed – GLS, CPS, Armed Forces, Solicitors, Companies

6. MAKING THE DECISION • THE SKILLS YOU WILL NEED • Academic ability – GCSE’s, A Levels, Law Degree or other degree and Graduate Diploma in Law, and Professional examinations (BVC/ BPTC) • Written and Oral communication skills • Numeracy skills • Interpersonal skills • IT skills • Organisational skills • A good memory • Remaining professional, discreet and emotionally uninvolved • Analysing large amounts of information • Thinking logically and with attention to detail • Coping with stress and pressure

7. FINANCIAL PLANNING • Law degree or GDL £4,000+ • Bar Vocational Course (BVC) soon to be renamed Bar Professional Training Course £5,000 – £12,000 • Living costs – Total £20,000 + depending upon where you choose to study • Inns of Court £85 Call to the Bar £80 • Pupillage Awards - £5,000 per 6 months (lowest award permitted – typical in London) • The Inns provide £3 Million in scholarships each year • Wig and Gown £500-600

8. HOW TO FINANCE YOUR STUDY AND TRAINING • Major high street banks run special schemes • Scholarships and awards (Inns of Court – always worth an application – available to all students) • Self - financing

9. WHAT NEXT? • Year 1 of your degree • Find out as much as you can about the profession • Undertake mini-pupillages and work experience in solicitors offices • Participate in public speaking and debating

10. WHAT NEXT? • Year 2 • Autumn Term – attend careers events • Investigate funding possibilities i.e. Scholarships • Check closing dates for applications • Spring Term – Apply for mini-pupillages etc • If applying for the conversion course, do so before the February closing date • Attend legal career fairs and pupillage fairs • Summer Term – undertake work experience

11. WHAT NEXT? • Final year of degree • Autumn Term – Apply for the BVC (www.bvconline.co.uk) • Funding possibilities • Start making enquiries about pupillage • Spring Term – Apply for pupillage • Summer Term – Join one of the four Inns (compulsory) • Obtain degree (minimum 2ii) /CPE/PgDL • Check on progress of pupillage applications

12. WHAT NEXT? • The BVC • 2004/2005 2,883 students applied for 1,594 places • 2008 – 2864 applicants; 1837 started; 1720 passed • In 2008 1,742 students were called to the bar • In the last five years, the average number of pupillages obained has fallen from around 600 to 500 • BVC to be called Bar Professional Training Course; aptitude tests to be introduced this Autumn • Autumn Term – If you were unsuccessful in obtaining pupillage in the summer start applying again • If you’re determined to have a career at the Bar then “DON’T QUIT!”

13. PUPILLAGE – THE GOLDEN TICKET! • The training period is twelve months • First six months shadowing your pupil supervisor • Second six months conducting your own cases under the supervision of your pupil supervisor • Competition for places – 500 – 600 places for 1200+ applicants • Currently fewer available due to future changes. • Then apply for tenancy.

14. ANNUAL INCOME • £19,000 - £260,000 per annum (gross figure • Legally aided work (crime & family) paid significantly less & facing cuts • Top “Silks” can earn up to £1 million • CPS £22,000 – 55,000 • Remember when practising from chambers a proportion of your income is paid to chambers, plus running costs, Income Tax, VAT and National Insurance, Pensions etc • Many changes ahead for the profession!

15. FURTHER INFORMATION • www.barcouncil.org.uk • www.lincolnsinn.org.uk • www.innertemple.org.uk • www.middletemple.org.uk • www.graysinn.org.uk