to consider retraining as a barrister later in life?

Well the work life balance depends on the firm, I work 8-4 and am out the door at 4, usually on the heels of the partners. But I appreciate that's not the case everywhere.

Its very much not the case in most firms particularly as a junior lawyer and particularly if an aim of the OP is earning potential.

In addition, law firms up and down the country are battening down the hatches in readiness for potential brexit disaster. DH's firm is making all sorts of plans just in case we go into recession (which will inevitably mean job cuts). My firm is in all out cash collection mode and not looking to invest in people.

Have a read of The Secret Barrister for insight into what it's really like.

Well the work life balance depends on the firm, I work 8-4 and am out the door at 4, usually on the heels of the partners. But I appreciate that's not the case everywhere.

I'm a solicitor not a barrister. You are aware presumably that barristers are self employed? As a result some don't earn very much at all.

Are you very mobile ie are you able to uproot yourself and family and move to where the work is (probably london)?

Are you prepared for all the travel and the working hours?

Whatever you do don't retrain as a solicitor. That really would be risky - dreadful work life balance for most and there are no jobs.

Can you get some mini pupilages to see if it's for you? Are your QC friends able to get you in?
There's nothing wrong with doing the gdl/bptc part time (except if you are in a hurry to qualify, as it will take longer). The issue is the difficulty in getting a pupilages and tenancy after. This is regardless of your age. Otherwise, it would be a whole lot of wasted money.
Is it advocacy in particular you are after? Or is it an interest in the law? If the latter, what about retraining as a solicitor? The job opportunities are more plentiful. However if you were considering that option, you may have to now do the solicitors qualifying exam rather than the gdl/lpc, but I've not read the guidance about it yet so not much advice on it

My DD recently graduated from Cambridge . She had a few Cambridge friends who have tried to become Barristers. It is so competitive in London it is ridiculous. I am sure ageism will be a factor too. Sorry to be negative.

Your academic cv would catch the eye of most sets. No one much cares about how you do the GDL or BPTC, so long as you pass them with distinction. But a recurrent problem for late entrants to the profession is that you won’t be credited with the seniority you have earned in another profession, or anything like it. Although you are the age of many silks, it will probably be 15-20 years (after call) before you have enough experience at the Bar to attract the kind of work that silks your age are doing now. In the meantime, you will face many years trekking to distant county courts doing humdrum work for low fees. If your current field were tax or intellectual property, you might just be able to avoid that, but otherwise you would need an unusual passion for advocacy, a rare humility and (probably) a financial cushion to cope with such a radical reduction in your professional status. I’m sorry to be discouraging, but I’ve seen this happen several times and forewarned is forearmed.

With age, comes a certain confidence in your abilities. I'd consider all the points made by Thinkfast & then go for it. Best of luck!

Go for it if you really want to do it. Life is too short for regrets! But you probably know how hard it is to find a place in chambers. Do you have any contacts who can help you with this, especially if you can bring clients with you from your previous profession. I don't think age is necessarily a problem - a lot of clients like a bit of gravitas .

I suspect it is probably sort of a fool’s errand

What is driving you to considering this?

I'm a solicitor about to turn 40 next year. What you're considering is not impossible - but would be a real challenge. Do you know what area of law you want to practice?

I expect a barrister to have first rate legal knowledge, excellent memory, very quick to pick things up, strong advocacy skills and attention to detail. Of the barristers you say you now have you done any shadowing of them at work to check if it is really for you?

Sadly I notice in my own practice I'm not as fast as I was in my 20s (IT skills etc) and my memory is not as good as it was, however I am confident in my knowledge and advice and have lots of experience to draw on.

You would have to be really super confident in your intellectual ability to succeed in this.

To answer your question about part time study I don't think that this is generally frowned on nowadays - I find it impressive if someone has juggled a full time job with intensive part time study.

I think you stand little chance of making it as a barrister. Sadly as I am your age and also trying to career change (but not as a barrister). It is a very difficult profession to break into for younger people. The world is ageist.

OP I have considered this! However, for me it wouldn't;t work because of geography, principally.

I was also interested to learn that they don't earn hugely more than solicitors. FAR and away more interesting though, with the added benefit one wouldn't have to work in a law firm....

It’s very competitive so I guess it depends if you think you’ll get a job, and if you can accept the huge salary drop to go back to a trainee salary.

Are you a good liar if so crack on.

Absolutely go for it! I wish I had the brains. You have so much to give and a good few years left to work following training.