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 Professional Training Course (formerly known as 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.
