|
Starting
a practice at the Bar
|
Qualifications
for practice as a barrister
All
persons wishing to practise in New South Wales must have been
admitted by the Supreme Court of New South Wales as a lawyer or the Supreme Court of another Australian State or Territory under a corresponding law.
|
|
For information about recognition of qualifications,
admission to the Supreme Court of New South Wales,
and obtaining a practising certificate, visit the 'Practising
as a barrister in NSW' pages on this web site.
|
Introduction
The Bar Practice Course includes sessions on the practical matters
which need to be addressed before commencing practice. Registrants
in the Bar Practice Course receive material germane to this task.
But here are some matters (not exhaustive) which are particularly
important.
Bar
exams and Reading Programme
People
intending to take up practice at the New South Wales Bar are, unless
exempted, required to pass the Bar exams
to the required standard, and undertake the Reading
Programme. Current registration requirements
for both programmes are set out elsewhere on this web site.
Submission of admission papers to the The
Legal Profession Admission Board (LPAB)
does not ensure registration with the Bar Association for the Bar
exams and the Bar Practice Course. Registration for these must
be separately undertaken.
A lawyer must have been issued with a practising certificate
before commencing the reading period and the Bar
Practice Course. However, the Bar exams may be undertaken by
lawyers before they have been issued with a practising
certificate.
Career
at the Bar
The essential qualifications for a career at the Bar are obtained
through achieving admission
as a lawyer in an Australian jurisdiction, passing all three
Bar exams to the required standard, and
completing the Reading Programme.
Beyond that, it is difficult to generalise about the qualifications
and resources, background and experience required for a successful
career at the Bar.
The Bar traditionally embraces all comers. There is no universally
accepted definition amongst barristers of what constitutes 'success'
at the Bar. There is no common denominator to those who are able
to build 'successful practices', however one might define a successful
practice.
When coming to the Bar the reader is setting up a business. Obviously,
business outgoings and personal living expenses must be paid. Usually,
there will be little or no income in the first three to six months
of practice. Even if a new barrister is lucky enough to obtain work
and send out fee notices, the time lag between sending and receiving
can mean that they will probably not be paid for some time. After
three months, one might expect a small income, but it cannot be
guaranteed. When planning to come to the Bar, one must assume that
there will be no income for about six months.
Readers will need sufficient resources to be able to devote themselves
to gaining experience and learning without requiring payment. A
junior barrister needs to be able to afford to go to court with
his or her tutor, undertake devilling (which is research work),
and observing proceedings in court.
Professional
listing
The Bar Association on request will publish its practising members'
contact and admission details on the 'Find
a barrister'
database and will notify the Law Society of NSW for the Law Society
Diary.
Cost
of setting up a practice
The
cost of setting up a practice varies, but may include the following:
| Examination
fees, 3 x $ 200.00 |
$600 |
| Professional
indemnity insurance |
$600
|
| Practising
certificate |
$100 |
| Bar
Practice Course fee |
$3,000 |
| Robes
and wig |
$2,000
|
| Computer
|
$1,000
|
| Printer
|
$250
|
| Basic
financial and practice management software |
$1,000
|
| Basic
practice books and online subscriptions |
$2,000
|
|
Readers who float on a floor may also require a trolley |
$500 |
| |
|
|
|
| Total
Cost |
$11,050
|
Monthly
overheads (floor fees) vary considerably from chambers to chambers.
Reading accommodation (including floor fees) can vary from $0 -
$2,500 a month. Please apply to floor clerks for specific information.
Publishers
discounts on subscriptions and texts
LexisNexis, Law Book Co and CCH may offer discounts to readers
on selected subscriptions and texts.
For further information contact:
- The
Bookshop, LexisNexis 1800 648 825
- CCH
1300 300 224
- Thomson
Legal & Regulatory Ltd (Lawbook Co) 1800 650 522
Bar
Association identity cards
Arrangements can be made for the issue of an identity card to facilitate
visits to prisons and other secure facilities. Contact The Bar Association's
Reception on ph: (02) 9232 4055. The fee is $15.
Change of address or circumstances
It is a statutory requirement that you notify the Bar Association
in writing of any change of practice address or telephone number,
fax and other contact details within 7 days after the change occurs.
The Director of the Professional Development Department must be
informed of alterations in conditions of reading. This includes
deferral or withdrawal, extended leave or change of tutor. A letter
or form of acceptance is required from new tutors.
All general inquiries or problems concerning reading should be addressed
to the Director of the Professional Development Department (details
below).
|
