A law student needs an array of skills to secure a pupillage or training contract under an experienced barrister. These skills are essential throughout the career of a barrister. Academic qualifications are the first thing to consider when seeking to enter the legal field. It should be noted that law is an intellectually demanding profession compared to most of the other professions out there. A bachelor’s degree and law college entrance are important for this purpose. Most law firms will expect the candidate to have good A Levels and at least a 2.1 degree from a respected university. This becomes even more crucial at the bar. Here are some of the top skills that one should have in order to train as a barrister.

A successful barrister has to build and maintain a solid relationship with his or her clients. This is most often based on the rapport between the individuals, even when your client is a large business establishment. You should have very good interpersonal skills – this is essential when you meet your colleagues and employers in addition to clients. The ability to network is crucial for an individual who wants to train as a barrister. Even the most confident person finds socialising awkward at times.

The interview stage is a crucial part of your pupillage application. An aspirant barrister should be able to present him/herself properly at this stage. It will determine the future of the pupillage contract of the individual. Your preparation will go a long way in improving your chances of succeeding in the interview stage. In fact, every response you make to the questions asked will be judged at this stage – even your gestures, clothes, hairstyle, and general odour. On the other hand, the law profession involves a lot of paperwork and written correspondence. You should be able to write and have near-perfect spelling and grammar to succeed as a barrister. You should write in a formal tone while being aware of your audience at all times. Even the slightest spelling mistake will get your application rejected at times. Before applying for a pupillage or training contract, you should polish your writing skills.

Commercial awareness is also important. In fact, the modern barrister should be able to think like business people and tailor their legal advice in order to protect the interests of their clients. In addition to businesses, you should learn more about the things clients look for in barristers. Finally, you should have good IT skills to become a successful barrister in this day and age.

You can see reviews of a successful barrister in this video: