Criminal barristers act in cases that involve any form of criminal activity. Many cases receive local and national media interest. Defendants who are facing serious allegations will be tried in a Crown Court. Such trials can last anything between two hours and several months, but will usually be concluded within a week. Less serious offences are dealt with in a Magistrates’ Court and trials will usually finish in a day or two.

Barristers tend to appear in the Crown Courts, whereas solicitors are often restricted to appearing in the Magistrates’ Court. Busy barristers may spend almost every day in court and often prosecute and defend.

What you can expect

As a pupil barrister you will follow an experienced practitioner in their court work – usually very serious offences – and draft documents. After six months you will represent defendants in trials in the Magistrates’ Court and short hearings in the Crown Court. After 12 months you can begin to prosecute and may start doing trials in the Crown Court.

In pupillage you must anticipate hard work, challenging people and long journeys, as it is initially unlikely that your practice will be in one city. On qualification your work will remain incredibly varied and unpredictable. You will represent all sorts of people, from drug addicts to businessmen.

The criminal bar has the great advantages of camaraderie, variety, as much advocacy as you have time for and an escape from the office.

Tips for success

You will need:

• the ability to deal with and understand people from different backgrounds
• common sense and tact
• use of plain but accurate English
• attention to detail.