Becoming a Barrister
The Bar is formed of a wide range of practitioners from varied backgrounds and offers a hugely rewarding career. The route to the Bar can be challenging, but Lincoln’s Inn provides guidance and support to members who decide this path is for them.
Route to the Bar
If you wish to become a Barrister in England and Wales there are several steps you will have to complete, including becoming a member of one of the four Inns of court; Middle Temple, Inner Temple, Gray’s Inn or Lincoln’s Inn.
If you would like to know more about the process of becoming a Barrister, and about Lincoln’s Inn before joining you can attend one of our career events.
An undergraduate law degree or a non-law degree followed by a Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL).
Become a member of one of the four Inns of court. You must become a member of an Inn at least 12 weeks before you are due to start your Bar course, although you may join earlier. For more information see Joining the Inn.
Complete your Bar Course and 10 Inn of court Qualifying Sessions (QS). The Bar Standard’s Board key statistics may be helpful to you when choosing which to bar course provider to study with.
Once you have completed your Bar Course and all your Qualifying Session you can be Called to the Bar.
Once you are called you must complete 12-18 months professional training, known as pupillage, in a chambers or other approved training organisation.
For more details:
The Bar Standard’s Board guidance on becoming a barrister provides a breakdown of the route to the bar. You can download the Lincoln’s Inn Guide to Becoming A Barrister 2021-22 here.
