What skills does it take to be a barrister?
Certain personal skills are necessary to be a good barrister. These include:
- a quick, decisive and analytical mind
- persuasiveness, and the ability to construct an argument
- confidence, and a skill for public speaking
- the ability to build relationships with a wide range of people.
Specific skills
As well as these personal skills there are specific skills covered by the Bar Vocational Course that provide a clearer indication of where your strengths should lie. These are:
- legal research – attention to detail and the ability to analyse large amounts of information
- fact management – the ability to retain and manipulate large volumes of information and detail
- opinion writing – the ability to argue on paper and to formulate options and recommendations
- drafting – the ability to write clearly and concisely
- conference skills – the ability to gather the right information from clients and solicitors
- negotiation – the ability to reach a satisfactory conclusion based on several factors, including cost
- advocacy – the ability to represent another’s case in front of a court.
