How Long Does It Take To Become A Barrister?

A barrister is a term used to describe a lawyer in certain countries like for example in England and Wales where the legal profession is divided in to two branches comprising of solicitors who traditionally perform litigation work for their clients and represent the case in lower courts and barristers who traditionally plead the case of the client in the higher court where they have the rights of audience.

The Bar Council is the directing body for barristers in the UK which sets down the guidelines for potential barristers. The minimum requirement to become a barrister is a degree in law or any other subject though if one is a graduate in a non law field then one has to take a one year course known as the Common Professional Examination (CPE).

Following the qualifying course or degree as may be the case one can then enrol for membership in one of the four Inns of Court by way of whom the student will be called to the Bar, and only then commence the Bar Vocational Course (BVC) a one year course in which the student learns the practical part of advocacy.

After completion of the BVC the student then undergoes a further period of tutoring known as pupillage for one year which involves for the first six months being the understudy of a senior barrister and in the next six months being involved in the practising part albeit under supervision following which the student becomes a fully qualified barrister.