Careers

To see and sign up for upcoming careers events look at our calendar page.

Pathways to the Bar

  • QLD/Qualifying Law Degree - An approved programme in which you will study the seven foundation subjects of legal knowledge, as stipulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and the Bar Standards Board. If you have any queries as  to whether you have a QLD, feel free to get into contact with the committee or contact your Academic Mentor.

  • Mooting - A popular extra-curricular activity for aspiring barristers. Mooting includes receiving a ‘moot’ problem and having to act as the advocate for that side. To keep up to date with the moots you can take part in, follow the LSE Bar & Chambers Division socials.

  • Mini-pupillages - The bar's equivalent of an internship or vacation scheme and lasts one to five days.

  • Pupillage - The final, vocational stage of training for those wishing to become practising barristers. Essentially, this is the bar’s equivalent of a training contract.

  • Inns of Court - In the UK, all barristers have to be part of one of the four Inns of Court. The four Inns of Court are: Gray’s Inn, Middle Temple, Lincoln’s Inn and Inner Temple. The Inns of Court are also useful for providing scholarships for the BPTC.

  • GDL/Graduate Diploma in Law - This is a year-long full-time mandatory course for all graduates who didn't study a qualifying LLB degree.

  • BPTC/Bar Professional Training Course - A postgraduate course which allows law graduates to be named and practise as barristers in England and Wales.

  • Call to the Bar - Admission to practice in the courts.

  • Sixes - Pupillages are normally split up into two sixes, each of which are 6 months long. During the first six you will shadow the cases of an experienced barrister; in the second six you may take on work of your own. If you do not receive tenancy at the end of your pupillage, you can apply for a third six (another 6 months) at a different chamber which acts as further work experience and allows you to apply for tenancy at that chamber.

  • Tenancy - When you are given tenancy, you are given a place in that chamber and can work as a qualified barrister.

  • KC/King’s Counsel (formerly Queen’s Counsel (QC)) - A senior barrister who usually receives the most well-known cases. The act of becoming a KC is known as taking silk because KC’s are given silk robes to wear. This is why KC’s are also referred to as silks.

Bar and Chambers Careers Development Plan

  • Events for those exploring whether the bar is right for you

    >Insight events with a diverse range of barristers (both self-employed and in-house), judges, solicitor advocates and chambers to learn more about the BAME, LGBTQ+, female, non-law, and international student experience at the bar.

    >Insight events with barristers qualified both in the UK and internationally.

    >Hosting more informal events to give you the chance to network with barristers in a relaxed setting.

    >Utilising the bar and chambers section of the law society newsletter to help you become aware of barrister related insight events, volunteering opportunities and programmes.

  • Events for those who want to build barrister-related skills and work experience

    >Continuing the Chambers Mentoring Scheme to help you with mini-pupillage and pupillage applications.

    >More workshops to help build your skills and employability:

    -Interview and application workshops

    -Advocacy and mooting workshops

    -Negotiation workshops

    -Public speaking workshops

  • Events for those who want to know more about the steps to qualify at the bar including the BPTC

    >Working with universities that offer the BPTC to give taster sessions, insights on the BPTC, and run you through how to apply.

    >Working with the Inns of Court to deliver tours, visits and insight events.