To think 31 is too old to train as a barrister?

[Tollyray]

I’m 31 and always wanted to be a barrister, but for various reasons I never did. I have a degree in English Literature and a Masters in Global Diplomacy.

However, I do keep thinking about how I regret not training to be a barrister, but I also realise it’s probably pie in the sky and I’m underestimating the work involved.

AIBU to think 31 too old to thinking about retraining? And if not, then has anyone else done similar and is able to tell me exactly what is involved, which courses need to be studied etc? I’m only just starting to properly research the subject.

*never did train to be one.

I wouldn't have thought so (31 is young!) but have no specific knowledge/experience - I know you have to do a conversion course, then a training contract but I'm sure you know that too!

Someone will be along with more knowledge shortly I'm sure but I would say go for it :)

I don't think it's too old, you'll have decades of practice left after completing your pupillage after all. Go for it. Or spend the rest of your life wondering what if...

You’re brave tbh. The age isn’t an issue but it’s a long process. Firstly the studying. Then the pupilage. Have you got the funds to support yourself through all that?

I honestly wouldn't bother. It's difficult and competitive enough as a bright-eyed 20-year-old graduate. Seems like an absolute ball ache with no guarantee of success.

What area of law are you interested in?

A friend of mine has just qualified at the age of 50. It was hard work but, as it has turned out, that isn't the main issue. He is finding it impossible to get a pupillage - he has had rejection after rejection because the Bar portal doesn't seem to been able to cope with "non-standard" applications and all applications have to made through the portal unless you have a sufficient to apply "off-portal" and many chambers don't accept applications that way. I think it really depends on what type of law you are interested in. Commercial law, which generally pays the best, is notoriously difficult to get into but other parts play very poorly indeed so I have a number of friends who have transferred over to being solicitors, or working in solicitors firms. I would say do your research carefully, be aware of how difficult it is and, if it still hasn't put you off, go for it!

Course it isn't too old! I'm a solicitor (not a barrister) but I know loads of barristers who were called to the bar around your age. They often (but not always) specialise in something relevant to their former career.

You'll need to do the GDL (conversion course) then the BPTC (which is the specific 'barrister' course). They aren't especially difficult academically, but a lot of people find them quite time-consuming. They're generally a year each.

I don't want to quash your dreams by any stretch, but studying for the bar generally involves quite significant debts (although some funding is available - usually for them most academic candidates), and most people who qualify as barristers won't succeed in finding work as barristers, as the supply and demand don't match up. With a few exceptions, the earnings often aren't what people imagine either. It's by no means impossible, but I recommend doing as much research as you can, as (unless you have financial resources) it can be quite a commitment.

I don't think 31 is too old. But it's so very competitive and expensive that it isn't something I'd advise anyone to do unless they had a very clear idea what they wanted to do, knew their passion for it was sufficient to take them through what might be a number of knock backs even as a strong candidate, and that they were good enough to have a chance.

You would need to do a law conversion and the BPTC, so that's a minimum of two years before starting pupillage, best case scenario, and longer if you would need to do it part time.

I ask as if it’s criminal law - the pay is shocking (fancy traipsing across the country on a Saturday for a mags hearing)?

Aren't barristers self-employed not employees? So you'd have all the headaches that come with that too. Plus the fact it is not a lucrative profession in most cases, depending on the area of law.

I was quite shocked at how little most barristers I've known actually earned.

Given you won't reach retirement age for another forty years I don't think you're too old to look at re-training, so long as your eyes are open about whatever path you choose.

Yes barristers are self employed. It isn't an easy route.

I think I'd put barrister in the same category as clinical psychologist - lots of people have romanticised ideas about training to become one but the reality is hellishly complex and competitive for a return that isn't often what people expect. If they even make it through all the hoops.

Also agree you're not too old but you're going to really struggle to get pupillage because everyone does. Why do you want to be a barrister? What sort of barrister do you want to be? What university are your degree/masters from and what grades? What is your job history?

You will be up against graduates with firsts from top universities and career changers with relevant experience (and possibly firsts from top universities).

I career changed into law but went the solicitor route for various reasons but the likelihood of getting pupillage was a factor (and I have the academics).

I know a barrister who was called to the bar in his 50’s so you’re definitely not too old!

You're not too old at all. Plenty train at your age. But don't bother unless you have stellar academics. The bar offers a fantastic quality of work & pay for the top, but pretty dire for everyone else.

Never too old, my cousin left his job as an an architect at 35 and studied medicine, he is now a thoracic consultant.
Do it, please dont have regrets.

May I ask what you've been doing with either your degree or your master's? (Were they from 'prestigious' universities and did you get firsts/2.1s?) Chambers like lots of impressive qualifications attached to your name - and if you've been working since then, evidence that your current career would be of benefit to your practice.

If you were fortunate enough to land yourself a pupillage, how would you feel about having pupil masters who are younger than you? And would a person used to high flying international diplomacy feel miffed at being sent out of court to do some last minute photocopying? (Or whatever the contemporary century equivalent is.)

Alternatively all your relatives may be High Court judges - in which case you'll have no trouble at all ...

I have a relative who's qualified as a barrister in recent years (late 20s). She has a first class law degree from a good university and a masters in law. She described the workload to pass her bar exams as insane and almost everyone else she encountered when she was studying for the bar had been to Oxbridge. Her experience, now she's qualified, and is based at the chambers where she had a pupilage, is that there's a lot of misogyny which makes it difficult to get work.

This is just one experience, obviously, but I get the impression it's a very challenging route to take.

PPs have said it, OP. Definitely not too old but be careful what you wish for. Pupillage is a bottleneck and many qualified to that stage end up in other, less high-flying careers but with significant debt from bar school/equivalent.

You might want to be remind yourself what actually attracted you and whether the bar is the optimal avenue to achieving that. If it's standing up in court in a wig and achieving justice then solicitors can appear in court and you might want to check how horrifically under-paid the criminal bar is (I know a couple you joined GLS in the end). If it it the 'money and prestige' then there are probably better avenues even within the legal profession, such as magic circle if you can or corporate law that don't risk the pupillage bottleneck. If you have private means and money is not an issue then some of the downsides might not apply.

Good luck.

Not too old but research carefully chances of getting a pupilage. Without that you can’t qualify. Do you could spend thousands on law conversion and bar finals course and not be able to qualify. Are your academics top tier eg 1st degree from decent uni? Barristers are self employed. Some areas of law eg crime are pitiful rates. Lots of travel. If you have or are thinking about a family do you have childcare help? It’s not a 9-5 nursery friendly job. Solicitor and do your higher rights of audience is an option. May get funding towards qualifying if you are at a bigger Solicitors firm but again very competitive.

She has a first class law degree from a good university and a masters in law. She described the workload to pass her bar exams as insane and almost everyone else she encountered when she was studying for the bar had been to Oxbridge. Her experience, now she's qualified, and is based at the chambers where she had a pupilage, is that there's a lot of misogyny which makes it difficult to get work.

Nothing's changed, then?