The UK's official graduate careers website

Login to My Prospects

Not a member yet? Join now
 

Search site
 

Barrister's clerk : Salary and conditions

More in this section

  1. Job description
  2. Salary and conditions
  3. Entry requirements
  4. Training
  5. Career development
  6. Employers and vacancy …
  7. Related jobs

Print all pages in this section

Case studies

  • Starting salaries are generally low, beginning at about £12,000 - £14,000 for a junior clerk, runner or clerk's assistant.
  • Salaries for senior clerks vary from £30,000 to £100,000 and beyond, depending on the size and income of the chambers.
  • Some chambers offer a bonus payment that is directly related to the income of the barristers. Salaries are ultimately related to responsibility, ability and experience, with barristers' clerks in major chambers earning substantial salaries.
  • The work may involve long and irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, in preparation for a major case and for business development events.
  • For junior clerks, the work involves going to court and to other barristers' chambers but, as you become more senior in the role, your work will become more office-based.
  • Some barristers' chambers are housed in historic buildings with cramped conditions and difficult access.
  • Most opportunities are in London (around 70%), but there are major chambers in cities such as Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, generally based near the courts.
  • There is generally a small team of barristers' clerks in each chambers, frequently divided according to the types of legal cases handled by the chambers (e.g., criminal or family law) and with about three or four clerks to a chambers of 15 to 20 barristers.
  • The majority of barristers' clerks are men, but numbers of women are increasing.
  • There is often a ‘buzz’ in chambers and work may be pressured. You will be working with barristers who may be elated from winning, frustrated at losing or feeling under pressure during a case. You will need to be able to handle and support their emotions and not feel intimidated or overawed.
  • The dress code is smart and a dark suit is worn at all times. A jacket must be worn in court.
 
AGCAS
Written by AGCAS editors
Date: 
March 2011
© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer
 
 
 

This website is best viewed in an up-to-date web browser with CSS enabled. While you will be able to view the content of this page in your current browser, you will not be able to get the full visual experience. Please consider upgrading your browser software or enabling style sheets if you are able to do so.