Barrister / Trial Lawyer
Argue cases in court and give specialist legal opinions to solicitors and clients.
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- Typical pay
- €30k–€120k
- Usual education
- Law degree plus bar training
- Outlook
- Competitive to enter, very rewarding once established.
A day in the life
Read the papers late, draft written arguments, appear in court, and cross-examine witnesses on your feet.
Ways in
- Law degree plus bar course
- Conversion course after any degree
- Pupillage with a chambers
What to study at 16
The subjects you choose for the final years of secondary school can shape which degrees, exams and careers are easiest to reach. This is about choosing courses, not choosing a school.
Spain
Bachillerato de Humanidades y Ciencias Sociales
Portugal
Línguas e Humanidades
France
Bac général — spécialités
Italy
Liceo classico / scienze umane
Netherlands
Profiel Economie & Maatschappij
Ireland
Leaving Certificate subject choice
Exams you'll need
The gates between you and this job, and when each one comes.
Examen de acceso a la Abogacía
The state exam that licenses courtroom practice in Spain.
OptionalLNAT
Needed if you study law at certain UK universities.
Skills that matter
Best courses to take
The study routes that lead most directly into this career.
LLB Law
The qualifying law degree: contract, tort, criminal, public and EU law.
Required before Bar training.
Helpful school subjects: English, History, Politics
Law Conversion (GDL/PGDL or equivalent)
One-year route into law for graduates of any other subject.
Common route for non-law graduates.
Helpful school subjects: Any degree
Places that hire for this
A&O Shearman
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Baker McKenzie
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Clifford Chance
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Cuatrecasas
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DLA Piper
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Garrigues
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.
Linklaters
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Uría Menéndez
Recruits for this role through internships, apprenticeships and graduate entry routes.