Solicitor vs Barrister: Which Route is Right for You?

Article by Meagan Leightley

Who is a Solicitor?  

A Solicitor is a qualified legal professional who provides legal advice and support to clients working in a firm. They work closely with clients and do the paperwork and communication and in complex disputes, they will instruct a barrister to represent the client in court.  

 How to become one? 

In order to become a solicitor, you will need to complete a qualifying law degree as well as the Legal Practice Course (LPC) which will be soon be replaced by the Solicitors Qualifying Exam (SQE). If you are coming from a non-law degree you would need to complete Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) conversion course (now referred to as PGDL) and then complete the LPC. Alternatively, if you do not have a degree you can become a solicitor through the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) whilst working in the legal profession. Finally, you will then have to complete a training contract which is two-year placement at a firm where you will have experience in different departments which must include a contentious and transactional seat. During the training contract, you will have to(now referred to as PGDL) take a Professional Skills Course (PSC) which will allow you to become a fully qualified solicitor. As an alternative route to qualify as a solicitor you can undertake a Solicitor Apprenticeship which is a six-year paid programme which you complete after A Levels. It enables you to carry out paid employment within a law firm whilst undertaking a part-time law degree which at the end of the 6 years you will be a fully qualified solicitor.   

Positives  

• If you love advocacy but maybe being a barrister is not for you, as a solicitor you can also represent clients in court. However, it is good to note that barristers are normally instructed to represent clients in higher courts.  
• If you wish to pursue a career as a solicitor there is a range of types of firms you could work for from city, international, niche, high street firms and there are over 200 firms offering Training Contracts.  
• Being a solicitor, you work in an office alongside your colleagues meaning it is more collaborative with a structured environment. If you enjoy working in a team perhaps being a solicitor is right for you.   

• One of the perks of being a solicitor in comparison to a barrister is that you have a steady income and workplace benefits. For some, this may be the most appealing factor as financial stability in a career can be important.  

 Negatives 

• Arguably, with the expansion in technology and artificial intelligence, there are concerns that solicitors’ jobs may in the future be taken over. This idea is also supported by self-serve websites currently doing the jobs solicitors do for example making wills. However, firms are taking innovative approaches to adapt practices through the use of technology in order to incorporate it into the job rather than solicitors’ jobs being taken over.   
• To some doing the same type of work as a solicitor may see repetitive and not as thrilling and exciting as being in court representing a client in front of a judge and jury.  

• As a solicitor, you cannot pick and choose the clients you are normally given as they come from the firm whereas a barrister you have to go out and find your own work.  
• Overall being a solicitor is still a demanding and stressful job so you must be able to cope with being in a demanding role.  

Who is a Barrister? 

A barrister provides specialist legal advice and represents clients in court. Barrister tends to specialise in a particular area of law and advocate on behalf of their client. They normally work independently within their chambers.  

How to become one?  

In order to become a Barrister, you must also have a qualifying law degree or equivalent at a 2:2 class or above. You must join an Inn of Court before you start the vocational training. You will then have to complete the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) in order to be allowed on to the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC). The BPTC covers the vocational competency and you will complete 12 Qualifying Session of training provided by your Inn. Once you have competently passed all the exams on the BPTC you will be called to the Bar by your Inn of Court. Next, you will complete the work-based competency training which is known as a Pupillage. The Pupillage will be separated up into a non-practicing period for six months and a practicing period for another six months. After all this training you will qualify as a Barrister under the Bar Standards Board.  

Positives  

• If you have a real passion and love for advocacy as well as formulating and convincing people of your argument, then you are probably better suited to being a barrister. 
• Life as a barrister there is no two days that are the same. There is a variety of work that keeps you on your toes within a fast-paced environment.  
• Being a self-employed barrister comes with greater independence and more control over your career progression.   

 Negatives 

• There is heavy competition to get a pupillage as every year 1400 students graduate from the BPTC course with there being around 400 available pupillages available with students from previous years also applying. If the prospect of not getting a pupillage lined up for after you finish the BPTC is not something you like, perhaps the Bar is not right for you.  
• Life as a Barrister is not the average 9-5. Briefs can be sent last-minute, there can be long hours after court preparing speeches and the workload is unpredictable. You have to be willing to adapt and overcome challenging situations and if this sounds appealing the barrister route might be right for you!   
• Around 80% of Barrister in England and Wales are self-employed according to the Bar Council. Due to this, they do not get a monthly salary and their income comes from the individual’s cases they work on. This may mean a barrister may not have a steady income. As well as this it means that you will not get workplace benefits such as healthcare benefits, paid holidays and your National Insurance will not be deducted automatically.  

 What is right for you? 

Try not to make a quick decision instead think it through and get some work experience both legal and non-legal. There is no better way to get an understanding of what is right for you by experiencing it first-hand. Try and obtain a mini-pupillage or some experience in a solicitor’s firm this way you will get a real understanding of what is right for you. If you are struggling to get work experience in a firm or chambers you could also gain some volunteer experience at Citizens Advice Bureau or within your Students Union. As well as this, you could also go to your local court and attend a court hearing or undertake online courses and commercial awareness competitions. Lastly, try mooting and see if advocacy is something that excites you. Remember if you change your mind later down the line a career change is possible!