ADVOCATE JOB

In essence, an advocate is a self-employed independent lawyer. Most are based in Supreme Court and work as self-employed individuals, depending on solicitors and some other professionals for their income. A small number are employed within industry or local government in high court. Their activities include: preparing for cases and liaising with solicitors presenting cases and representing clients in courts, providing specialist legal representation and advice to solicitors and appropriate professional bodies in written opinions or at consultations.

The process of becoming an advocate is currently under review. At the moment, after completing a bachelor degree of the requisite standard and the full-time Diploma in Legal Practice, it is necessary to undertake a period of full-time training in a solicitor's office approved by the Faculty of Advocates. After you have been formally admitted by the Faculty as an Entrant (trainee advocate) and passed certain examinations there comes a further eight/nine month period of unpaid practical training with an experienced advocate and finally a competency assessment, which covers written and oral advocacy skills.

Current advice is that you should complete a two-year solicitor's traineeship so that you can qualify and practise for some years as a solicitor before going to the Bar. The work of a criminal barrister is likely to involve a lot of advocacy in court. A family law barrister may be representing clients in court in a contact dispute or divorce case, but equally may be involved in mediation as a way of avoiding the need to go to court.

A barrister practising chancery law will act in 'traditional' chancery cases related to wills, probate and trusts but may also be heavily involved in providing advice and negotiating on corporate and commercial matters. Employed barristers will undertake similar activities for one particular company or client. At more senior levels, they may also become involved with the development of legal policy and strategy.