Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
- Provide Consultation and Advice to Others Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
- Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Interacting With Computers Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Processing Information Compiling, coding, categorising, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
The Work
A barrister is a legal professional who gives solicitors and other client’s legal advice. When members of the public initially seek legal advice, they typically consult a solicitor, but they will be referred to a barrister in the event that a court appearance is required.
Although solicitors have a right of audience before all courts (a right to appear on behalf of a client before a judge to plead a case), they tend to call on the services of barristers to present their clients’ cases. This is mainly because advocacy requires distinct skills and expert knowledge that barristers are trained to provide.
The Barrister's role includes researching and preparing cases, writing legal documents, representing clients in court and cross examining witnesses.
There are approximately 5,000 Solicitors and 1,350 practising Barristers in Ireland. The main difference between the two professions is that Barristers have an effective monopoly of audience before the High Court, the Supreme Court and even the Circuit Court.
In cases heard in these courts, the Solicitor prepares 'the brief' or file before the court hearing, whilst the advocacy and cross-examination in the courtroom is performed by the Barrister. Even where litigation is not involved, if a difficult legal point arises, the Solicitor may refer the question to the Barrister for counsel's opinion.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Analyse the probable outcomes of cases, using knowledge of legal precedents.
- Advise clients concerning business transactions, claim liability, advisability of prosecuting or defending lawsuits, or legal rights and obligations.
- Select jurors, argue motions, meet with judges, and question witnesses during the course of a trial.
- Interpret laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
- Present evidence to defend clients or prosecute defendants in criminal or civil litigation.
- Represent clients in court or before government agencies.
- Present and summarise cases to judges and juries.
- Study Constitution, statutes, decisions, regulations, and ordinances of quasi-judicial bodies to determine ramifications for cases.
- Prepare, draft, and review legal documents, such as wills, deeds, patent applications, mortgages, leases, and contracts.
- Negotiate settlements of civil disputes.
Further Information
Qualities - Barrister
To be a Barrister, one needs to be eloquent or at least fluent, capable of thinking on one's feet, and resourceful. It will be necessary to understand and interpret complex legal wording in clear basic English.
Since the work is confidential an intending Barrister needs to be trustworthy and discreet. Mental and physical stamina are essential in order to cope with the long hours, travelling and stress.
Barristers need interpersonal skills to work with other professionals, including solicitors, judges and other court staff.
Whilst Solicitors do some advocacy in the lower courts, most of their work is concerned with interviewing and advising clients in their offices. So the message would seem to be that if you are particularly nervous of speaking in public, you should not think about becoming a Barrister, but could still contemplate joining the Solicitors' profession.
Interests - Barrister
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Linguistic
The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.
Entry - Barrister
Represents people in court of law by stating their case before a judge and jury.
Training & development pathways
To practice as a Barrister in Ireland you need to train at Kings Inn Dublin.
Completion of the Kings Inns training gives rise to what is known as the Barrister-at-Law degree, usually depicted by the abbreviation BL. Upon qualification, a newly qualified barrister must work for a period of at least one year with an established barrister, commonly referred to as a ‘Master’, to become acquainted with court work, preparation of cases, legal documents and so on. This is commonly known as ‘devilling’, and the devil, or pupil, does not receive any fee for this work.
To become a barrister, you must first complete a number of academic courses and periods of vocational training to obtain the necessary minimum skills to do the job.
People without a law degree
If you are over 23 years old and have no degree, or have a non-law degree, you can do the two year Diploma in Legal Studies at the King's Inns instead of a third level law degree. Total cost of course is €9,950. plus an application fee of €200.
Note that if you do not have a degree, you must be at least 23 years of age on May 1 in the year when they would sit the Diploma–I examinations.
Law degree holders
If you have completed a Law Degree from a university or other approved third level institution, you are eligible to apply for the entrance examination for Barrister-at-Law degree.
Entrance examination for Barrister-at-Law degree
Admission to the degree of Barrister–at–Law course is by an entrance examination.
If you are eligible (see above) to apply to sit the Entrance Examination must apply by the end of May and pay the application fee of €600 (or submit a late application by the start of July and pay a fee of €1,000).
The subjects for the entrance examination include: Contract Law; Criminal Law; Irish Constitutional law; Law of Torts; and Law of Evidence.
Degree of Barrister-at-Law
Students must undertake the one-year full-time, or the two year-modular (part-time), Degree of Barrister-at-Law at King's Inns.
The aim of the course is to enable students to acquire and develop the skills, knowledge and values in order to become an effective member of the Bar. It is practical and interactive and is intended to bridge the gap between the academic study of law and practise at the Bar.
Total cost of course is €12,560 and you can read about funding, Fellowship and Bursaries here.
Apprenticeship / ‘Devilling’
Having passed the Barristers-at-Law degree from the King's Inns, you are called to the Bar of Ireland by the Chief Justice of Ireland. You must also complete a year of "devilling" with a suitably qualified barrister in an established practice for a period of 12 months, a form of apprenticeship for barristers.
Practising barristers must also be of the Roll of Practising Barristers maintained by the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA).
It is important to note that deeming a person fit to practise at the Bar is not only a question of that person completing specific training, it also involves a general assessment of fitness and probity.
Professional Development
Barristers are required to complete Continuous Professional Development (CPD) on a regular basis.
While the majority of graduates go on to practise as barristers, some develop a career in communications, politics, the public sector, education, and policy. Some may also progress by doing taught or research masters or PhDs.
Last Updated: April, 2023
Pay & Salary - Barrister
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €50k - €130k
Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.
Data Source(s):
Payscale/ Morgan McKinley/ Brightwater/ Lincoln/ Sigmar/ Indeed
Last Updated: August, 2024
* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.
View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available
Labour Market Updates - Barrister
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Employment levels have declined annually since 2020 for this occupation, resulting in a negative growth rate for the five-year annual average. There were a small number of employment permits issued for legal counsel across a number of sectors including ICT and the financial sector. However, the professional, scientific and technical activities sector accounts for the majority of employment in this occupation.
Useful Contacts - Barrister
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Honorable Society of King's Inns
- Henrietta Street, Dublin 1
- (01) 874 4840
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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The Bar Council of Ireland
- Four Courts, Dublin 7
- (01) 817 5000
- [email protected]
- Click Here
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The Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA)
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