Becoming a Barrister

[Louise82]

I am currently studying for my second year of ILEX (Institute of Legal Executives) and have decided that once I finished my four years would like to become a Barrister.

Can anybody tell me whether I can do a conversion course straight after becoming a Legal Executive to enable me to take my Bar exams or do I have to have a degree before I can do a conversion course?

[Miss Zippy]

If you don't have a degree (or have a non-law degree), then you will firstly need to complete the Common Professional Exam (CPE) (one year f/t, two years  p/t) before being able to do the Bar Vocational Course (one year f/t, two years p/t).  However, you cannot get onto a CPE without either a degree or a "Certificate of Academic Standing" which is issued by the Law Society.  One way to be eligible for such a Certificate is if you are a fully qualified Legal Exec. There is no set time for how long you have to be qualified before the Law Soc will issue you with a Certificate, but in my (limited) experience (I used to each ILEX but only came across one student who wanted to be a barrister) it is a minimum of 12-18 months. Although it seems a long way off, by the time you qualify as a barrister you will have the added advantage of having many years' practical experience which will stand you in good stead for getting a place in a set of chambers (whichis the hard part).

[Louise82]

Thank you for your help. I was worried that I would have study for another four years to get a degree after my four years of ILEX before I could even start the CPE. So even though it is a long way off, its not as long as I thought it would be!

[Miss Zippy]

Provided you pass your ILEX successfully and with few attempts (some students have to re-sit exams many times, especially at Level 4, before passing and I don�t know if this would influence the Law Society in any way in deciding not to issue a Certificate of Academic Standing) you definitely won�t have to study for a degree as well.  It would be worth you having a chat with the Law Society now to explain to them what you�re doing at the moment and what you plan to do and find out precisely what their eligibility criteria is for issuing a Certificate. Good luck :o)

[Annie456]

You need to contact the Bar Council, not the Law Society as the latter regulate solicitors.

[Miss Zippy]

Annie - it is the Law Society, not the BVC, who must issue Louise with a Certificate in order for her to be eligible to get a place on the LPC.