Barrister's clerk: Career development

The majority of entrants start work as a junior clerk, typically followed by promotion to first junior clerk. There are opportunities in larger chambers to work as a deputy senior clerk prior to becoming senior clerk. At a senior level, you may work as a fees clerk, with responsibility for handling and collecting barristers' fees.

Within the profession, progression will eventually lead to the post of senior clerk, practice manager/director, chambers manager or even chief executive, leading a team of barristers' clerks within the chambers.

The profession is made up of relatively small numbers so it may be necessary to move to different chambers for promotion. The best opportunities for progression and high earnings are in London, where there are more sets of chambers, but a successful career can be built elsewhere.

The profession has so few members that senior positions are likely to be filled as the result of direct approaches from chambers. Those who reach the level of senior clerk generally stay with the same chambers for the rest of their career.

Being a barrister's clerk does not offer a shortened route to becoming a solicitor or barrister, although the experience and knowledge gained while working in a set of barristers' chambers would be very useful and relevant for a legal career.