- legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
- knowledge of English language
- excellent verbal communication skills
- active listening skills
- analytical thinking skills
- the ability to read English
- to be thorough and pay attention to detail
- the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
- customer service skills
- to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently
Your day-to-day duties could include:
- having meetings with clients and taking on cases (briefs)
- researching the law relating to previous similar cases
- reading witness statements and reports
- offering advice and providing written legal opinion
- negotiating settlements out of court
- preparing legal arguments and getting briefs ready for court
- cross-examining witnesses and presenting the case to the judge and jury
- summing up the case
You could work in a court, at chambers or in an office.
Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.
With experience you could find employment with firms supplying legal services in commerce, finance or industry. You could lead a team or move into general management.
You could also apply to become a Queen's Counsel (QC), a judge or an ombudsman.
You can find out more about becoming a barrister from The Bar Council and All About Law.
