A career at the Bar offers a challenging and rewarding choice for those willing to give the commitment and dedication required. For me the attraction of the Bar was advocacy, and so I chose to become a criminal practitioner.
Whatever particular specialisation attracts you, the Bar offers a unique working environment. Unlike other jobs, many people stay in the same chambers for much of their career. This means that there is a real sense of camaraderie both within chambers and at the Bar in general. Advocacy is the cornerstone of being a barrister; you need to be skilled at both oral and written persuasion. Each case is a new challenge for which you have to take sole responsibility. You have to rely on your own judgement and put in hard work, often for little or no financial reward in the short term.
