Barrister / Solicitor in the UK

Understand the law. Represent the client.

Barristers and Solicitors advise individuals, businesses and public organisations on their legal rights, responsibilities and options. Solicitors commonly manage client matters, transactions and ongoing legal work, while barristers often specialise in advocacy, complex opinions and courtroom representation.

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  • Prestigious Profession Across Commercial, Public and Private Practice
  • Diverse Pathways Across Advisory, Transactional & Advocacy Work
  • Global Opportunities Through English Law and Cross-Border Practice
  • Real-World Impact Protecting Rights and Supporting Access to Justice

What does a Barrister / Solicitor do?

  • Advise clients on legal matters

    Interpret legislation, case law and contractual obligations before explaining the available options, risks and possible outcomes.

  • Prepare cases and transactions

    Draft agreements, pleadings, legal opinions, witness materials and other documents required for litigation, commercial transactions or advisory work.

  • Represent and advocate for clients

    Present legal arguments in negotiations, hearings, tribunals or courts and respond to questions from judges, opposing counsel and other parties.

  • Manage evidence and legal research

    Examine documents, interview clients and witnesses, identify relevant authorities and organise evidence into a clear legal position.

  • Uphold professional and ethical standards

    Protect confidentiality, avoid conflicts of interest, act with integrity and ensure that legal services are delivered competently and in the client’s best interests.

Career Pathways

  1. 1

    Master Legal Foundations

    Develop a strong understanding of contract, tort, criminal, public, land, equity and European or retained EU law principles.

  2. 2

    Choose the Solicitor or Barrister Route

    Decide whether your strengths and career goals are better suited to broad client advisory work, transactional practice, specialist advocacy or courtroom representation.

  3. 3

    Complete Professional Training

    Solicitor candidates normally prepare for and pass the Solicitors Qualifying Examination, while aspiring barristers complete the vocational component of Bar training and the requirements of an Inn of Court.

  4. 4

    Gain Supervised Legal Experience

    Solicitor candidates complete qualifying work experience, while barrister candidates undertake pupillage under the supervision of an experienced practitioner.

  5. 5

    Develop a Specialist Legal Practice

    Focus on a field such as commercial law, criminal advocacy, family law, technology, finance, employment or international dispute resolution.

Areas You Can Specialise In

  • Corporate and Commercial Law
  • Civil and Criminal Litigation
  • Banking and Financial Services Law
  • Technology and Data Protection Law
  • Family and Employment Law
  • International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution

Where Our Graduates Work

Real Careers. Real Impact.

  • Two Distinct Legal Professions Solicitors usually work directly with clients, manage legal matters and prepare transactions or cases from beginning to end. Barristers commonly provide specialist opinions and advocacy, although the responsibilities of the two professions can overlap depending on the practitioner’s authorisation and area of work.
  • Qualifying as a Solicitor The Solicitors Regulation Authority requires candidates qualifying through the current route to hold a degree or equivalent qualification or experience, pass SQE1 and SQE2, complete two years of qualifying work experience and meet character and suitability requirements. The degree can be in law or another subject.

    Qualifying work experience must involve real legal services and can be completed before, during or after the SQE assessments. It may be gained through a training contract, paralegal role, law clinic, voluntary organisation or placement and can be divided across up to four organisations.
  • Qualifying as a Barrister The Bar Standards Board divides barrister training into three parts: the academic component, the vocational component and pupillage or work-based learning. Candidates normally require a qualifying law degree or a non-law degree followed by a law conversion course.

    Aspiring barristers must complete an authorised Bar training course, join one of the Inns of Court and attend the required qualifying sessions. Being Called to the Bar does not itself authorise practice; candidates must also complete pupillage before practising as barristers.
  • Preparing for an International Legal Career English law is frequently used in international contracts, financing arrangements and dispute-resolution matters. Singapore-based graduates with knowledge of both Asian commercial environments and the law of England and Wales may pursue opportunities involving cross-border transactions, arbitration, financial services and international legal practice, subject to immigration, professional and employer requirements.

Ready to argue your future as a Barrister or Solicitor?

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