Barrister
Barristers are lawyers who specialize in court work and advocacy for clients before courts and tribunals. Their work involves the preparation of court documents and advising client about the likelihood of their case being successful if litigated. Barristers work independently and are briefed by a solicitor before they take on work. To practice as a barrister, a person must satisfy the following: 1. Be admitted as a lawyer by a State Supreme Court;
involves ‘reading’ under the supervision of a barrister (with at least 7 years experience) for at least 12 months and completing the month long Bar Practice Course. • This is a four-week long full-time course held in Sydney in May and Aug/Sept of each year. The Bar Practice Course fee is $3,800. In the following 11 months after the course, it is also compulsory to satisfy requirements such as completing criminal and civil reading, two advocacy workshops and attending six follow-up sessions.
2. Gain a pass mark of 75 for all three Bar entrance exams, covering the topics of ‘Ethics’, ‘Evidence’ and ‘Practice and Procedure’ (this must be attained before commencing the Bar Practice Course) • Each exam runs for 3 hours and are held in February and June each year. • All three exams must be passed over a tenmonth period. Exam fees are $250 per exam;
Having satisfied the above requirements, application to practice must be lodged with the Bar Association of NSW and practice must be commenced within ten months of passing the Bar exams.
3. Undertaking the ‘Reading Programme’, which
For more information, see www.nswbar.asn.au.
Barristers are required to have Professional Indemnity Insurance and accrue Continuing Profession Development (CPD) credit each financial year for certificate renewal.
Solicitor
Eligibility The eligibility requirements for admission as a solicitor are set out in sections 24 and 25 of the Legal Profession Act 2004 (NSW) (LPA), which state that a person must: 1. Be over 18 years of age; 2. Complete a recognised tertiary qualification in law (completing the 11 core subject as per the
[ 8 ] Careers Guide 2014
Uniform Admission Rules) and the requisite Practical Legal Training (PLT); and, 3. Be a ‘fit and proper person’ – be of good fame and character (see s 9 of the LPA). Practical Legal Training Having completed an accredited law degree, graduates must undergo PLT with an approved
Macquarie University Law Society