Barrister
Level 7 · Degree (Master’s)Legal, finance and accounting 6 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Barrister apprenticeship is a Level 7 postgraduate route into the specialist advocacy profession, combining academic legal study with practical courtroom training. Apprentices develop the skills to advise clients, draft legal documents and represent clients in court proceedings. Completion leads to qualification as a barrister, called to the Bar of England and Wales.
On the job
What you’ll learn
The law of evidence, civil and criminal procedure
Legal research and case preparation techniques
Drafting opinions, pleadings and skeleton arguments
Advocacy and oral presentation in court settings
Professional ethics and the Bar Standards Board code
Client care and conference skills
Specialist subject areas such as crime, family or commercial law
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Research case law and legislation to advise on legal matters
Draft written opinions and legal submissions
Prepare bundles and case papers for hearings
Attend court to observe and conduct advocacy
Conduct client and witness conferences in chambers
Take instructions from solicitors and lay clients
Review and analyse evidence in case preparation
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 7 (Degree (Master’s)) - roughly Master’s-degree level. Usually needs a relevant degree or Level 6 qualification, or significant experience.
What’s next: Leads into senior and chartered professional roles.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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