Training as a barrister in mid 30s or older

[Isleepinahedgefund]

I wonder if any barristers could help me out with this. Someone I am giving career advice to wants to become a barrister, I would like some additional information to find out how best to direct them towards their goal.

They are mid 30s. Have the necessary qualifications to apply for the BPTC, but currently not the funds. Based on current plans, will not have the funds for another five years at least I’d think. Has no one else to support them financially at all if not working.

They have been in the workplace since doing the degree/postgrad law conversion. Some of the work experience is partly relevant to the legal profession (don’t want to elaborate more than this).

I know the Bar qualifications are competitive and then they need to do a pupillage which I’m guessing is also competitive, and I know enough about how barrister fees and finances work to know it’s not easy when you’re starting out.

Is starting as a barrister realistic in “later” life? How do they go about competing with all the bright young graduates and making themselves an attractive prospect to get on the course and then get the pupillage?

Many thanks.

I have a few friends met at uni, around my age 30 to 40 at the time, two of whom are now practising barristers. It is not unusual to come to the law later in life, but it is exceedingly competetive, and both these got firsts, post grad qualifications and were academic lawyers for a few years before entering pupillage. Because of this, they had contacts, and that's what counts, a lot.

I think the changes to legal aid have made life much harder for people to make a decent living so do research carefully.

Unless they are exceptional it will be difficult to obtain a pupillage. I know of someone who did do it later in life, but they already had a PhD and a strong career. There are far more applicants than pupillages.

Have they applied for a mini pupillage to gain some work experience and see if it is for them before they shell out the cash?

Most barristers are exceptional so the reality is it could be very difficult. The barristers I use are all oxbridge firsts, many with degrees and qualifications in other jurisdictions on top - often the NY bar.

My own personal experience is that I probably couldn’t pass the bar aptitude test now (mid 30s) and I’ve worked in legal practice for over a decade (not as a barrister, but in litigation). I did in my mid 20s, but I guess four kids has eroded my brain....

There are some free tests online though - if they can pass that then it could be worth a shot. You don’t need legal qualifications, it’s designed to test how you think.

I agree with the comments above. Would they consider being a solicitor? Again only if they are exceptional academically they could then be funded on the courses but you have to apply years ahead so it is definitely something you need to plan and work backwards. I know a few people with a PhD eg in biotech who then went into law (patent law) a little bit later in life and are excellent but again like the posts above that person had very relevant qualifications and was very bright, high A level scores, very good university etc.

DD is a barrister and has been through all the training fairly recently. It doesn’t really matter what age you are, what matters is what you bring to the role.

You need to look at getting a scholarship from one of the Inns of Court. These are Lincoln’s, Grays, Middle and Inner. Look very closely at what they want. For an older person with work experience in an area of work that is sought after at the bar, it’s possible to get pupillage. There are some professions and skills that make a mature applicant interesting to Chambers. More of that later! In the first instance, get a scholarship from an Inn. This could pay for the whole BPTC or just a bit of it. If your friend can afford it, you can network much more effectively in London on the courses there but they cost a lot more than the regional courses. The Inns of Court support student barristers and run courses for them. 12 qualifying sessions with your Inn are required - sometimes it’s a dinner though! There are a lot more pupillage opportunities in London than elsewhere and if your friend has a special knowledge they MUST target the Chambers who will want that expertise. So start with trying to get a mini pupillage - work experience. Chambers advertise these on their web sites.

Many barristers are bright of course and Oxbridge accounts for around 40% of them. They are over represented at some Chambers, so if he’s not Oxbridge, these Chambers are off his agenda. However if it’s a less stellar career your friend wants, then there are opportunities for RG educated, who are the next big group, but then with slim pickings for anyone else. If your friend can really hold their own academically and with their expertise, then go for it. Don’t bother with a 2:2. Don’t bother with a low pass in the GDL. Think twice without a financial award from an Inn.

After getting the scholarship, there is a Gateway system to apply for pupillage. The Chambers advertise their pupillage opportunities (training) and hopefuls apply. Some don’t use the Gateway. The bad news is that around 1400 take the BPTC each year and there are circa 430 pupillage opportunities. You can keep of applying if not immediately successful so the pool looking can be several thousand. Also Chambers like award holders from the Inns of Court and the BPTC providers give scholarships too. If you don’t get 1p, think twice about being a barrister. The odds are not good.

The whole process takes a huge amount of planning because of the deadlines that must be met. A pupil gets a tax free pupillage award and if it’s big, the pupil can draw down in it to pay BPTC fees as well. These range from £12,000 at the bottom (so won’t pay the fees) to around £70,000 at the top end. Bottom end is Criminal Law. Top end is Chancery and Property. Eventual earnings are not great for Criminal but decent to excellent for everything else. Bartisters are self employed but there is the employed Bar - the CPS.

I think the BPTC will soon be split into two halves. If you don’t pass the first half, you won’t get into the second half.

The Bar Council has info which is relevant to aspiring Barristers. It’s extremely hard work and every element of it is tough and the competition is fierce. Be prepared and understand the applications schedule, do tailored applications for each pupillage at the most likely Chambers and get a financial award from an Inn of Court. Pass the BPTC with Outstanding if possible. Simples!

By the way, getting on the BPTC isn’t difficult. Far too many get on it because the requirements are low. It’s a cash cow. The big problem is getting pupillage. This is where knowledge and expertise can help a mature person but knowing a bit of law won’t be any help at all.