Barristers' clerks deal with the administration in barristers’ offices (known as chambers), and organise the workload of the barristers working there.

The duties of a barristers' clerk can include:

• preparing papers and taking books, documents and robes to and from court
• messenger work, collecting and delivering documents
• photocopying, filing and dealing with letters, e-mails and phone calls
• dealing with accounts, invoices and petty cash
• collecting fees
• organising the law library
• managing each barrister’s daily diary and keeping all their case information up to date
• liaising between solicitors, clients and their barristers
• reorganising barristers' schedules when necessary.

Senior barristers' clerks are also responsible for:

• bringing business into chambers
• allocating cases to barristers
• negotiating fees
• financial management of the chambers
• recruiting, training and supervising junior clerks.

Senior clerks may also be known as chambers directors or practice managers. They have a lot of influence in chambers.

Hours and Environment

As a barristers' clerk you will Monday to Friday. Your working hours can be long and irregular, and you may need to work late into the evening.

You will be based in an office in chambers, but you will spend some of your time visiting court, solicitors and other chambers. You are expected to dress smartly.

Skills and Interests

To be a barristers' clerk, you need:

• good spoken and written communication skills
• good organisational and time-management skills
• confidence and a professional manner
• tact and respect for confidential information
• the ability to work well in a team
• willingness to work long hours when necessary
• the ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
• good negotiation and financial skills, for senior jobs.

Entry

There are no set entry requirements, but most chambers will expect you to have at least four GCSEs (A-C)/S grades (1-3) including maths and English. Many barristers' clerks have A levels/Highers and some have degrees.

You will have an advantage with relevant experience in court administration, legal secretarial work, accounts or management.

You will usually start as a junior clerk in chambers. Some chambers run work experience schemes.

Training

You will be trained on the job by a senior clerk.

You will also be encouraged to work towards the Institute of Barristers' Clerks (IBC) BTEC Advanced Award in Chambers Administration. This is a professional qualification aimed at junior clerks with up to three years’ experience. The course usually takes around two years of part-time study in chambers with a mentor, with some seminars and workshops. 

The IBC also offers short courses and seminars for more experienced members to update their knowledge and skills.

Opportunities

There are around 1,200 barristers' clerks in the UK. There is usually a team of three or four clerks for every 20 barristers in chambers. Most barristers' chambers are based in major cities.

Jobs may by the Institute of Barristers' Clerks (on the website and through it's members' vacancy mailing list) and with specialist recruitment agencies. Some senior jobs may be advertised in the national press.

You may need to move to different chambers to gain promotion to senior clerk. 

Annual Income

Figures are intended as a guideline only.

Junior clerks could start on around £10,000 to £15,000 a year.
Experienced clerks earn around £30,000 to £100,000 a year, depending on their level of seniority.

Further information

289-293 High Holborn
London
WC1 7HZ
Tel: 020 7831 7144