Barristers' clerk
Encyclopedia
A barristers' clerk is a manager and administrator in a set of barrister
s' chambers
. The term originates in England, and is also used in some other common law
jurisdictions, such as Australia
. In Scotland
, the equivalent role is advocate's clerk.
There are about 1,200 barristers' clerks in England
and Wales
. Around 350 are senior clerks. A group of 20 barristers normally employs one senior clerk and one or two junior clerks. More than half the clerks work in London, mainly in and around the four Inns of Court
, with the remainder being in large towns and cities. In the UK, the profession is regulated by the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Barristers employ clerks to organise their bookings and provide messaging, telephone and accounting services.
Clerks have detailed knowledge about the barristers on their list. They provide solicitors and others with information about the availability of counsel and advise on the choice of barrister.
); clerks negotiate their fees; and clerks counsel them on how their careers should be structured (e.g. what kind of law to specialize in, when to become a Queen's Counsel
). At one time clerks would receive a percentage of the barrister's fees for this work.
A barrister's clerk is responsible for running the business activities and administration of a barristers' chambers. The role is integral to the success of a set of chambers as a business and as a practice. Barristers' clerks must be familiar with court procedures and etiquette. They will also develop an expertise in the type of law
undertaken by their chambers.
A barristers' clerk requires a combination of commercial acumen, legal knowledge and strong interpersonal skills. The term 'clerk' is historical and does not accurately reflect the co-ordination of workload, marketing and financial management undertaken.
The Role of a Junior Barristers' Clerk
Generally the role of a junior barristers' Clerk will act as an assistant to other senior and more experienced staff, increasingly assuming more responsibility over a period of time including the allocation of briefs and negotiation of fees.
One of the most significant duties that a junior barristers' clerk will need to undertake is to arrange the diary and general work programme of the Barrister to their best ability.
The junior barrister clerk is usually the first point of contact between a solicitor seeking the services of a barrister, and the barrister. Junior barristers' clerks will need to ensure that they are consistently professional in their approach and that they possess positive attitudes and behaviours. The barristers' clerk therefore needs to ensure that whichever barrister they put forward he/she has the ability to do the particular piece of work, competent, and has the time to do the work. Consequently the barrsiters' clerk needs to be up to date with the diary for that particular barrister, be aware of any in progress that they have and the information as to when they are due to be taking leave, holidays, and training courses.
For a newly appointed barristers’ clerk relationships with barristers in chambers, instructing solicitors, the court service and many other outside agencies is paramount.
Depending on the size of chambers and the available staff resources the typical responsibilities of a junior barrsiters' clerk will include some or all of the following:
Dealing with incoming and outgoing post, Collecting and delivering documents, Maintaining and updating court lists,
Maintaining and filing briefs/instructions, Communicating with clients, court staff, solicitors, other chambers and various outside agencies, Dealing with routine telephone enquiries, Attending court listing meetings and representing his/her chambers interests or monitoring, arranging court listings via the telephone, Fee billing, Diary management, Maintaining the stock of stationery and chambers brochures, Updating and maintaining chambers library
In carrying out the role, a barristers’ clerk is required to possess, acquire and demonstrate a combination of the following skills, attitudes and behaviours: Professional, Confidence, Diplomacy, Tactfulness, Flexibility,Effective negotiator, Team player, Computer literate, Discreet, Well organised, Effective communicator, Trustworthy, Honest, Loyal, Committed, Good sense of humour, Polite and well mannered, Common sense.
In order for a junior barristers' clerk to become successful you will need to gain knowledge, experience and on the job training on a day to day basis from your peers, other team colleagues and senior staff. This will be attained over a period of time, allowing you to develop and increase your knowledge and thus levels of confidence.
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
s' chambers
Chambers (law)
A judge's chambers, often just called his or her chambers, is the office of a judge.Chambers may also refer to the type of courtroom where motions related to matter of procedure are heard.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :...
. The term originates in England, and is also used in some other common law
Common law
Common law is law developed by judges through decisions of courts and similar tribunals rather than through legislative statutes or executive branch action...
jurisdictions, such as Australia
Law of Australia
The law of Australia consists of the Australian common law , federal laws enacted by the Parliament of Australia, and laws enacted by the Parliaments of the Australian states and territories...
. In Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, the equivalent role is advocate's clerk.
There are about 1,200 barristers' clerks in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. Around 350 are senior clerks. A group of 20 barristers normally employs one senior clerk and one or two junior clerks. More than half the clerks work in London, mainly in and around the four Inns of Court
Inns of Court
The Inns of Court in London are the professional associations for barristers in England and Wales. All such barristers must belong to one such association. They have supervisory and disciplinary functions over their members. The Inns also provide libraries, dining facilities and professional...
, with the remainder being in large towns and cities. In the UK, the profession is regulated by the Institute of Barristers Clerks.
Barristers employ clerks to organise their bookings and provide messaging, telephone and accounting services.
Clerks have detailed knowledge about the barristers on their list. They provide solicitors and others with information about the availability of counsel and advise on the choice of barrister.
Typical activities
Clerks manage their barristers' time through diary management (e.g. when they have to be in courtCourt
A court is a form of tribunal, often a governmental institution, with the authority to adjudicate legal disputes between parties and carry out the administration of justice in civil, criminal, and administrative matters in accordance with the rule of law...
); clerks negotiate their fees; and clerks counsel them on how their careers should be structured (e.g. what kind of law to specialize in, when to become a Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
). At one time clerks would receive a percentage of the barrister's fees for this work.
A barrister's clerk is responsible for running the business activities and administration of a barristers' chambers. The role is integral to the success of a set of chambers as a business and as a practice. Barristers' clerks must be familiar with court procedures and etiquette. They will also develop an expertise in the type of law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
undertaken by their chambers.
A barristers' clerk requires a combination of commercial acumen, legal knowledge and strong interpersonal skills. The term 'clerk' is historical and does not accurately reflect the co-ordination of workload, marketing and financial management undertaken.
The Role of a Junior Barristers' Clerk
Generally the role of a junior barristers' Clerk will act as an assistant to other senior and more experienced staff, increasingly assuming more responsibility over a period of time including the allocation of briefs and negotiation of fees.
One of the most significant duties that a junior barristers' clerk will need to undertake is to arrange the diary and general work programme of the Barrister to their best ability.
The junior barrister clerk is usually the first point of contact between a solicitor seeking the services of a barrister, and the barrister. Junior barristers' clerks will need to ensure that they are consistently professional in their approach and that they possess positive attitudes and behaviours. The barristers' clerk therefore needs to ensure that whichever barrister they put forward he/she has the ability to do the particular piece of work, competent, and has the time to do the work. Consequently the barrsiters' clerk needs to be up to date with the diary for that particular barrister, be aware of any in progress that they have and the information as to when they are due to be taking leave, holidays, and training courses.
For a newly appointed barristers’ clerk relationships with barristers in chambers, instructing solicitors, the court service and many other outside agencies is paramount.
Depending on the size of chambers and the available staff resources the typical responsibilities of a junior barrsiters' clerk will include some or all of the following:
Dealing with incoming and outgoing post, Collecting and delivering documents, Maintaining and updating court lists,
Maintaining and filing briefs/instructions, Communicating with clients, court staff, solicitors, other chambers and various outside agencies, Dealing with routine telephone enquiries, Attending court listing meetings and representing his/her chambers interests or monitoring, arranging court listings via the telephone, Fee billing, Diary management, Maintaining the stock of stationery and chambers brochures, Updating and maintaining chambers library
In carrying out the role, a barristers’ clerk is required to possess, acquire and demonstrate a combination of the following skills, attitudes and behaviours: Professional, Confidence, Diplomacy, Tactfulness, Flexibility,Effective negotiator, Team player, Computer literate, Discreet, Well organised, Effective communicator, Trustworthy, Honest, Loyal, Committed, Good sense of humour, Polite and well mannered, Common sense.
In order for a junior barristers' clerk to become successful you will need to gain knowledge, experience and on the job training on a day to day basis from your peers, other team colleagues and senior staff. This will be attained over a period of time, allowing you to develop and increase your knowledge and thus levels of confidence.