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Barristers and Solicitors
After one qualifies as a barrister/solicitor, could one transfer to the other profession (ie. from solicitor to barrister or vice versa)? If so, which is "easier", transferring from the bar to solicitors or from solicitors to the bar? Is transferring to the bar the only option for solicitors wanting to gain right of audience in the higher courts? What is a "solicitor-advocate"? How do one qualify as a "solicitor-advocate"? Thx!
Solicitor advocates have higher rights of audience, which they obtain through further training, outlined here.
I'm not sure if it's possible to convert from a barrister to a solicitor though.
I'm not sure if it's possible to convert from a barrister to a solicitor though.
No, solictor advocates are quite different, in that they will be still employed by a firm as opposed to being self employed.
Anyway it is possible to go from Solictor to Barrister (if you're already on the roll of Solictors it can be less of a risky action that going straight to the Bar from university), and also Barrister to Solictor (there are a very large number of those who failed to get a pupillage who do this). Already being in profession will make you exempt from large swathes of training - if you already have a diploma in Advocacy you only need one 6 month pupillage (else you will have to do all 12 months) and the "Bar Appitude Test", if you have the BVC you only need to take a single transfer test that means you can start to do a training contract.
Anyway it is possible to go from Solictor to Barrister (if you're already on the roll of Solictors it can be less of a risky action that going straight to the Bar from university), and also Barrister to Solictor (there are a very large number of those who failed to get a pupillage who do this). Already being in profession will make you exempt from large swathes of training - if you already have a diploma in Advocacy you only need one 6 month pupillage (else you will have to do all 12 months) and the "Bar Appitude Test", if you have the BVC you only need to take a single transfer test that means you can start to do a training contract.
No, they're not the same.
As someone previously pointed out, a solicitor-advocate can appear on behalf of his client in all courts: he has higher rights of audience. Most of the big City firm's litigation departments are taking steps to ensure that all their litigators have higher rights.
However, solicitors and barristers remain totally different branches of the profession. All that has happened is that the line between them has blurred slightly in certain circumstances.
It is certainly possibly to transfer between the two. I know people who have done it in both directions although it is relatively uncommon. Interestingly, the majority of barristers start out as solicitors here in Oz and transfer shortly after their career starts.
The reality is that the bar will continue to do the vast majority of contested court work, especially in the larger RCJ matters. The bar is cheaper and more experienced than solicitor-advocates.
If you're interested in doing high level civil advocacy then the bar is really the only option. I am not of the view that you will be exposed to decent advocacy opportunities (eg lengthy civil trials) by being a sol-advocate.
Let me know if you'd like to know more.
Chalks.
As someone previously pointed out, a solicitor-advocate can appear on behalf of his client in all courts: he has higher rights of audience. Most of the big City firm's litigation departments are taking steps to ensure that all their litigators have higher rights.
However, solicitors and barristers remain totally different branches of the profession. All that has happened is that the line between them has blurred slightly in certain circumstances.
It is certainly possibly to transfer between the two. I know people who have done it in both directions although it is relatively uncommon. Interestingly, the majority of barristers start out as solicitors here in Oz and transfer shortly after their career starts.
The reality is that the bar will continue to do the vast majority of contested court work, especially in the larger RCJ matters. The bar is cheaper and more experienced than solicitor-advocates.
If you're interested in doing high level civil advocacy then the bar is really the only option. I am not of the view that you will be exposed to decent advocacy opportunities (eg lengthy civil trials) by being a sol-advocate.
Let me know if you'd like to know more.
Chalks.
Ferrus
No, solictor advocates are quite different, in that they will be still employed by a firm as opposed to being self employed.
Anyway it is possible to go from Solictor to Barrister (if you're already on the roll of Solictors it can be less of a risky action that going straight to the Bar from university), and also Barrister to Solictor (there are a very large number of those who failed to get a pupillage who do this). Already being in profession will make you exempt from large swathes of training - if you already have a diploma in Advocacy you only need one 6 month pupillage (else you will have to do all 12 months) and the "Bar Appitude Test", if you have the BVC you only need to take a single transfer test that means you can start to do a training contract.
Anyway it is possible to go from Solictor to Barrister (if you're already on the roll of Solictors it can be less of a risky action that going straight to the Bar from university), and also Barrister to Solictor (there are a very large number of those who failed to get a pupillage who do this). Already being in profession will make you exempt from large swathes of training - if you already have a diploma in Advocacy you only need one 6 month pupillage (else you will have to do all 12 months) and the "Bar Appitude Test", if you have the BVC you only need to take a single transfer test that means you can start to do a training contract.
LOL @ Dragonforce!!!
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- Types of Law practitioners in the UK.
- Law (LLB) in the UK or Australia or Belgium
- Should you be able to call yourself a Barrister?
- Law Conversion Timeline
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- How important is having a duty slot as a criminal barrister
- Work Experience Programmes for incoming Year 12's!
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- How necessary is a first in order to become a barrister?
