There are three ways on becoming a Barrister which are; through a law degree, non law degree and ILEX route.

have been asked by the solicitor to the barrister to write. They are collectively referred to as the “Bar”. The last stage is to secure a “pupillages” which lasts for 1 year. In this year, six months are spent shadowing the pupil master, the Barrister is called a pupil at this point. In the best six months, the barrister can start to appear in court and can also try out cases. The one disadvantage is that competition for pupillages is fierce. Common professional development also has to be done to continue the knowledge of learning up to date law. Those without a law degree, have to take the common professional education, which is now known as the Graduate Diploma of Law which is for one year. This consists of six core topics related to law which have to be learnt. Ironically, a barrister who has a law degree has been studying law for three years whereas those barristers without a law degree have only studied the six core topics for one year and this doesn’t seem fair!They then have to join one of the Inns of Court, in the same way as barristers who have a law degree and then join the Bar vocational course also known as the BVC. A pupillage has to be secured at the end. The last and third way of becoming a barrister Is through the ILEX route which stands for the Institute of Legal executives. They only require 4 GCSE’S and don’t even need A levels. They work for solicitors and give legal information to clients. The main disadvantage is that they can’t appear in the higher courts and their rights of appearing in the lower courts are fairly limited. They can’t form partnerships or contracts with their clients. Barristers also go on to become Q’C’s which stands for Queen’s Counsel if they have been practising for 10 years or more. Another thing, is that they can only be approached in civil cases, whereas clients have to still go directly to barristers in criminal cases. Another disadvantage is that barristers don’t provide legal aid. The two complaints procedures are handles by the Legal Services Commission, who are also known as the LSC or the Legal Services Ombudsmen or LSO. They review the complaints which are taken against barristers and if necessary, also take action. They can order the barrister to pay the client or they can order the client to pay the barrister. Legal action can also be taken if there was inadequate service delivered by the barrister to the client or misconduct. The Legal Services Act 2007 showed the “Clementi Report” and “Tesco Law” This was an alternative, and wasn’t replacing them which also guaranteed a wage in chambers which could make pupillages more easier!