Where do you expect to practise when you qualify? That is, assuming you can secure a pupillage. When I was a student no-one realised we could practise other than in chambers. I joined chambers in Manchester. There was a vacancy because somebody had “left to work in industry”. Employed barristers were regarded as failures. Comments like “they should become a solicitor” were common. Today this view has largely disappeared.
The Access to Justice Act 1999 restored higher court rights of audience to employed barristers who were suitably qualified. It also gave employed barristers the right to conduct litigation on behalf of their employers, if suit-ably qualified – something the self-employed are not allowed to do. As well as the above, the aspects of practice as an employed barrister which attracted me to industry after 10 years in chambers are present today, whether moving from chambers or starting a career.
