Daily Junction.mobi portalCriminal and family barristers (who do legal aid work) earn significantly less than commercial barristers (who do corporate, finance, and commercial litigation). The median income for barristers is around £60,000-£80,000, according to the Bar Council's 2023 earnings survey.
Queen's Counsel (QC) or King's Counsel (KC) is a senior rank for barristers (and some solicitor-advocates) appointed by the monarch on the advice of an independent selection panel. QCs/KCs:
There are around 1,800 QCs/KCs in England and Wales. Appointment is competitive and based on advocacy skills, legal knowledge, and professional standing.
Barristers are subject to the cab rank rule, which requires them to:
The cab rank rule is meant to ensure everyone can get legal representation, even if their case is unpopular or the client is disliked. However, it has exceptions (e.g., barristers can refuse if the case is outside their expertise or if they have a conflict of interest).
Solicitors are not subject to the cab rank rule and can refuse to take on a client.
The traditional division between solicitors and barristers has blurred since the 1990s:
Since the Courts and Legal Services Act 1990, solicitors can qualify for higher rights of audience and represent clients in Crown Court, High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court. Around 6,000 solicitors now have higher rights of audience.
This has reduced the need to instruct barristers, especially for straightforward cases.
Since 2004, barristers can be instructed directly by clients (without a solicitor intermediary) under the Direct Access (or Public Access) scheme. This is cheaper for clients (no solicitor fees) but requires the client to handle case preparation themselves.
Direct Access is used mainly for:
Around 3,000 barristers are registered for Direct Access work.
Some barristers work as employees (not self-employed) in:
Employed barristers do not work from chambers and are not subject to the cab rank rule.
The UK legal profession is split into solicitors (who provide legal advice, handle paperwork, and represent clients in lower courts) and barristers (who specialize in court advocacy and provide specialist legal opinions). There are around 160,000 solicitors and 17,000 barristers in England and Wales. To become a solicitor, you must complete a law degree (or conversion course), the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE), and two years of qualifying work experience. To become a barrister, you must complete a law degree (or conversion course), the Bar Practice Course, and a one-year pupillage. The traditional division has blurred since the 1990s, with solicitors gaining rights of audience in higher courts and some barristers working directly with clients. Understanding the difference is essential if you need legal representation or are considering a legal career.