What Is a Barrister?

If you’re interested in a career in the law, you might have heard the term barrister – but what exactly does it mean?

To the uninitiated, the intricacies of the British legal system can be confusing. But in this guide, we’ll demystify the role of a barrister. We’ll explain what barristers are, what they do, the types of cases they handle, how much they earn, and even why they wear those famous wigs.

What Does a Barrister Do?

Role

In the United Kingdom, a barrister is a type of lawyer who specialises in courtroom advocacy – in other words, they are the legal professionals you see arguing cases in court. They are independent practitioners qualified to give objective advice and to represent clients (individuals, organisations, or even the government) in courts and tribunals at all levels.

Their primary role is to advocate on behalf of clients in court – presenting legal arguments, examining and cross-examining witnesses, and persuading judges or juries. They take the facts of a case and translate them into convincing legal reasons why their client should win. Most barristers typically specialise in one area of law (for example, criminal law, commercial law, or family law), though some may handle a broader range of issues.

Daily Tasks

What a barrister does from day to day is varied. Common daily tasks include researching relevant laws and past cases, reviewing evidence like witness statements or expert reports, writing legal opinions or advice, and preparing strategies for court. When in court, they are in their element: making speeches, questioning witnesses, and responding to the judge’s questions in order to support their client’s case.

It’s worth noting that many barristers are self-employed and work in groups known as “chambers”, sharing offices and administrative support with other barristers. A barrister is usually brought into a case by a solicitor (another type of lawyer) when specialist representation in court is needed. For example, if someone is involved in a serious legal dispute or charged with a crime, their solicitor will often instruct a barrister to handle the courtroom proceedings.

The barrister’s main focus is the courtroom advocacy, though they also provide legal advice on how strong a case is and how to approach a trial. (In some situations, members of the public can hire a barrister directly for advice or representation, but traditionally it’s done through a solicitor.)

Examples of Cases Barristers Work On

Barristers work on all sorts of legal cases – big and small, criminal and civil. Here are a few realistic examples of the kinds of cases and scenarios a barrister might be involved in:

Criminal Trials

Criminal law barristers spend a lot of time in court. For example, a barrister might defend someone accused of a serious crime like robbery or fraud, or act as a prosecutor on behalf of the state in a jury trial. They would examine witnesses, make speeches to the jury, and argue points of law to either prove the defendant’s guilt or cast doubt on the prosecution’s evidence.

Commercial Disputes

In commercial cases, barristers represent businesses or individuals in disputes about money, contracts, or business dealings. These cases could range from a small business suing a supplier over a broken contract to massive lawsuits between big companies.

A commercial barrister might, for instance, argue a contract dispute where one company claims another didn’t fulfill its agreement – this could take place in the High Court with millions of pounds at stake. Such a barrister will delve into complex documents, precedents, and financial evidence, simplifying it for the judge.

Family Law Cases

Family law barristers handle sensitive, personal cases. They might represent a parent in a child custody hearing, or one spouse in a divorce financial dispute. Unlike the theatrical jury scenes of criminal law, family cases are usually heard by a judge in a quieter courtroom (often without wigs and gowns nowadays).

The barrister’s role is to advocate for their client’s personal interests—perhaps arguing that it’s in the child’s best interest to live with one parent, or helping a client secure a fair share of assets from the marriage.

These are just a few examples. Barristers also work on cases in areas such as employment law (e.g. representing someone who was unfairly fired), human rights (arguing cases about individual freedoms and government powers), personal injury claims (seeking compensation for an injured person), immigration appeals, and much more.

Essentially, any time a legal dispute needs to be resolved in a court or tribunal, a barrister may be involved.

Barristers in the UK Legal System

Barristers and Solicitors

To understand where barristers fit in the wider UK legal system, it helps to know that in England and Wales there are two main types of lawyers: solicitors and barristers. Both are qualified lawyers, but they have different primary roles.

Barristers, as we’ve seen, are the specialist advocates in courts, while solicitors typically handle general legal work, client advice, and preparation of cases. Usually, if you have a legal problem, you would first go to a solicitor, and if the case needs to go to court, the solicitor will hire (instruct) a barrister to represent you in front of the court.

This partnership is a cornerstone of the UK system: the solicitor deals with the client directly and prepares the groundwork, and the barrister provides a second layer of expertise, focusing on advocacy and complex legal arguments.

Employment

Barristers are often self-employed and group together in chambers, but they are regulated collectively by their professional body (the Bar). All barristers in England and Wales belong to “the Bar,” which is why the profession as a whole is called the Bar – you might hear phrases like “being called to the Bar” (meaning to qualify as a barrister). (Historically, the bar was a wooden barrier in a courtroom where barristers stood – that’s where the name barrister comes from.)

They also must be a member of one of the historic Inns of Court in London, which are like professional societies and training hubs for barristers. These traditions reinforce that barristers form an independent branch of the legal profession dedicated to courtroom advocacy and the upholding of justice.

Rights of Audience

Within the court hierarchy, barristers have rights of audience in all courts – from local Magistrates’ courts all the way up to the Supreme Court. This means they can represent clients at any level if required. While solicitors can also represent clients in lower courts, barristers are the ones most associated with higher court advocacy and complex trials.

Barristers also frequently become judges later in their careers – many of the judges in the UK (especially in higher courts) are former barristers who have been appointed to the bench after distinguished practice.

Independence

Importantly, barristers are independent. When they argue a case, their duty is not only to the client but also to the court and the justice system. They must present their case honestly and adhere to strict ethical codes. This independence is why traditionally barristers could not form formal partnerships or companies – each barrister is a sole practitioner (though sharing chambers), which helps ensure they can give frank, unbiased opinions even if it’s not what the client wants to hear.

Without barristers, individuals might struggle to navigate court procedures or eloquently argue points of law. With barristers, the theory is that courts will hear the best possible arguments on each side, which helps judges and juries make fair decisions.

Why Do Barristers Wear Wigs?

One of the most distinctive (and curious) traditions of barristers is the wearing of wigs and gowns in court. If you’ve ever seen a courtroom drama set in Britain, you’ll notice the lawyers in old-fashioned white wigs. This tradition might seem odd at first, but it has deep roots.

History of Barristers Wearing Wigs

How did this wig-wearing start? The practice dates back to the 17th century. It actually began as a fashion trend – during the reign of King Louis XIV of France, it became popular among aristocratic society for mean to wear wigs.

By around 1685, this fashion made its way into the courts: judges and barristers started wearing full-bottomed wigs as part of proper court dress. Even after wigs fell out of fashion in society in the 1800s, the legal profession kept the tradition. The uniform look of wigs and black robes symbolized continuity and dignity in the justice system.

Today, the tradition is evolving slightly. Since 2007, British courts have relaxed the rules so that wigs are not always required in certain cases (for example, many family or civil courts, or the UK Supreme Court, don’t insist on wigs).  However, in criminal trials barristers still commonly wear wigs and gowns, and many lawyers take pride in this unique tradition.

Reasons Why Barristers Wear Wigs Today

Formality and Authority

Wigs (along with the traditional black gowns) bring a sense of formality and solemnity to courtroom proceedings. They signal that the court is a place of serious business and that the occasion is official and historic in nature.

Historical Continuity

By donning the wig and gown, barristers visibly represent the long history of the common law. It’s a way of showing respect for centuries of legal tradition and the idea that the law stands supreme over the case at hand. In other words, the outfit links today’s lawyers to generations of those who upheld the law before.

Impartiality and Anonymity

The wig also creates a visual separation between the lawyer as an individual and their role as an officer of the court. By covering the barrister’s personal appearance with a uniform wig, it emphasises that they speak for the law, not for themselves.

What Is a Barrister’s Salary?

A career as a barrister can be financially rewarding, but salaries vary hugely based on experience, expertise, and the area of law. Unlike jobs with a fixed salary ladder, a barrister’s earnings depend on the cases they take and whether they are self-employed or working in-house (employed by an organisation). Here’s an overview of barrister salaries:

Level of Experience	Salary
Pupillage	~ £23k (minimum) ~ £50-70k (high-paying specialisations)
Junior	~ £30-90k (depending on specialisation)
Experienced	~ £30-90k (criminal) ~ £30-150k (family) ~ £90-300k (commercial / financial)
Senior	~ £100-300k (depending on specialisation) ~ £90-150k (in-house) ~ £250k-1m (KC)

You can see more detail on barrister’s salaries below.

Starting Out – Pupillage

Before qualifying fully, barristers must complete a one-year apprenticeship called pupillage. During pupillage (training under a senior barrister), there’s a minimum funding that chambers must provide – roughly £21,000 to £23,000 per year (the exact minimum is set by the Bar Standards Board).

Some prestigious chambers pay more, sometimes £50,000-£70,000 for pupillage in high-paying specialisations. This is basically a trainee allowance to help new barristers get on their feet.

Junior Barristers

Once qualified, a junior barrister’s earnings can be quite modest at first, especially in fields like criminal or family law which are often publicly funded. In fact, early in their careers, many self-employed barristers experience very low incomes and even delays in getting paid for their work.

They also have to pay expenses (like rent for their chambers, travel, and professional insurance) out of their earnings. It’s not unusual for a new barrister to earn in the tens of thousands per year, rather than a huge salary, until they build up their reputation and case load.

Experience and Specialisation

As barristers gain experience, their income tends to rise – but how much it rises often depends on their area of practice. According to data from the Bar Standards Board, about 80% of barristers with five years’ experience in lucrative fields like commercial or financial law earn over £90,000 annually, with nearly half earning over £240,000 at that stage.

In contrast, in areas like criminal law, roughly 70% of barristers earn between £30,000 and £90,000 after a few years of experience, and in family law about 70% earn between £30,000 and £150,000. This shows how working in big-money commercial cases can lead to a much higher income than working, say, defending clients in criminal courts (where fees are often lower). Every field has its own range.

Senior Barristers

After a decade or more in practice, barristers can reach very high earnings if they are successful. Self-employed barristers with 10+ years of experience often make between roughly £100,000 and £300,000 per year, depending on their specialization.

A small percentage at the top of the profession – typically those renowned for handling major cases or those who become King’s Counsel (senior barristers distinguished by the title KC) – can earn £500,000 or even over £1 million a year. These are the superstar barristers who might be involved in headline-grabbing cases.

On the other hand, barristers employed by organisations (for example, working as a legal advisor for a government agency or a corporation) have more predictable salaries, generally ranging from around £90,000 up to £150,000 or more for senior roles.

In summary, barrister income starts relatively low during training and the early years, but it can increase dramatically with experience, especially in high-paying practice areas. It’s a career of high risk, high reward – the financial prospects are strong, but it can take time to establish yourself. Many barristers feel the intellectual challenge and the opportunity to make a difference for clients in court are the biggest rewards of the job, with the salary being a bonus.

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