Barrister CV Example
For barristers at all levels of call seeking tenancy, employment, or lateral moves between chambers. Showcases your advocacy record, practice areas, and significant case outcomes.
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Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- List notable cases by name where possible, including court level and outcome achieved.
- Highlight your year of call, Inn of Court, and any judicial or academic appointments.
- Include any publications, speaking engagements, or contributions to legal scholarship in your practice area.
- Demonstrate your ability to attract and develop your own practice through referral networks and reputation.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Barrister CV
A barrister CV must present your practice areas, advocacy experience, and notable cases in a format that demonstrates your expertise and the quality of your work. Whether you are seeking tenancy, applying for a lateral move between chambers, or pursuing an employed barrister position, your CV should showcase your courtroom skills, written work, and ability to attract instructions. The legal profession is conservative, so present your credentials in a polished, authoritative format that reflects the standards expected at the Bar.
CV Structure
Begin with your call date, Inn of Court, and chambers, followed by a brief profile. List your practice areas with descriptions of the types of work you undertake. Include a notable cases section listing significant matters by name where public, court level, and outcome. Follow with education, professional memberships, and publications. A barrister CV can be two to three pages depending on your seniority and the breadth of your practice.
CV Format
Choose an elegant, understated template that conveys professionalism and authority. The Bar is a traditional profession, so avoid modern design elements and keep the layout classical. Use clear section headings, consistent formatting, and a professional font. Present your notable cases in a format that is easy to scan, with case names in italics and court references clearly stated.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Barrister
Barrister of 10 years' call with a busy practice in commercial litigation and arbitration, accepting instructions from solicitors, licensed access clients, and direct access clients. Regularly appears in the High Court and Court of Appeal, with significant experience in multi-party disputes, company and insolvency matters, and enforcement proceedings. Recognised in Chambers UK as a ranked practitioner for commercial dispute resolution.
Criminal Barrister
Criminal barrister of seven years' call practising from specialist criminal chambers, with experience prosecuting and defending serious and complex criminal cases including fraud, drugs conspiracies, and serious violence. Regularly instructed by the CPS as a Grade 3 prosecutor and has appeared as junior alone in Crown Court trials lasting up to four weeks. Known for thorough case preparation and effective cross-examination.
Junior Barrister
Barrister of two years' call with a developing practice in family law, accepting instructions in private children, financial remedy, and domestic abuse proceedings. Regularly appears in the Family Court and magistrates' court, with experience conducting contested hearings, drafting position statements, and advising lay and professional clients in conference. Member of the Family Law Bar Association.
State your year of call, primary practice areas, the courts you regularly appear in, and any legal directory rankings. Include a brief description of the types of clients who instruct you and the level of work you undertake. Mention any specialist accreditations, panels, or appointments.
Key Skills for Your Barrister CV
Advocacy & Oral Argument
Presenting legal arguments persuasively in court, responding to judicial questioning, and adapting submissions in real time during hearings.
Legal Opinion Writing
Providing written legal advice on complex points of law, analysing evidence and identifying the strengths and weaknesses of a client's position.
Cross-Examination
Questioning opposing witnesses effectively to challenge their credibility, test their evidence, and advance the client's case.
Case Preparation
Analysing case papers, identifying legal issues, researching relevant authorities, and preparing a case strategy for hearings and trials.
Mediation
Acting as an advocate or mediator in alternative dispute resolution proceedings, facilitating settlement and reducing litigation costs.
Client Conferencing
Advising clients and solicitors in conference on the merits of their case, the available options, and the likely outcomes of proceedings.
Court Procedure
Navigating the procedural rules of the civil, criminal, and family courts, including the CPR, Criminal Procedure Rules, and Family Procedure Rules.
Skeleton Arguments
Drafting concise, persuasive written arguments for submission to the court in advance of hearings and trials.
Practice Development
Building and maintaining a sustainable practice through referral relationships, reputation, and professional profile development.
Work Experience Examples
Rather than a traditional employment history, barristers should describe their practice areas and notable cases. For each practice area, describe the types of matters you handle, the courts or tribunals you appear before, and notable outcomes. List significant cases by name with court level and result. If you have held employed positions, describe these in a standard career history format.
Barrister — Commercial Litigation
4 Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn
Practised as a self-employed barrister specialising in commercial litigation, company law, and insolvency from a leading Chancery chambers.
Responsibilities
- Appeared as sole counsel and led junior in the High Court, Court of Appeal, and before arbitral tribunals in commercial disputes with values up to £25M.
- Drafted statements of case, skeleton arguments, and legal opinions on complex points of commercial and company law.
- Advised solicitors and direct access clients in conference on litigation strategy, settlement, and enforcement options.
- Conducted cross-examination of factual and expert witnesses in multi-day trials in the Business and Property Courts.
- Developed and maintained referral relationships with solicitors across London and the South East, generating a consistent flow of instructions.
Achievements
- Secured a £4.5M judgment for the claimant in a breach of fiduciary duty claim after a five-day trial in the High Court, Chancery Division.
- Successfully applied for a worldwide freezing injunction in support of a fraud claim, preventing the dissipation of assets worth over £8M.
- Ranked as an 'Up and Coming' barrister in Chambers UK for commercial litigation, with client testimonials praising advocacy skills and commercial judgement.
Pupil Barrister
3 Raymond Buildings, Gray's Inn
Completed twelve months of pupillage in a leading criminal chambers, gaining supervised experience in prosecution and defence advocacy across the Crown Court and magistrates' court.
Responsibilities
- Shadowed pupil supervisors in Crown Court trials, skeleton argument preparation, and client conferences for serious criminal cases.
- Conducted independent advocacy during second six pupillage in the magistrates' court, Youth Court, and Crown Court plea hearings.
- Drafted written advices, case analyses, and skeleton arguments for review by pupil supervisors.
- Attended judicial sentencing exercises, mini-pupillages, and continuing professional development seminars organised by chambers.
Achievements
- Received a tenancy offer following successful completion of pupillage, securing a position at the chambers.
- Won the Gray's Inn Advocacy Prize for outstanding performance in the inter-Inn mooting competition.
Education & Qualifications
List your BPTC or BPC result and provider, followed by your GDL and/or law degree. Include your Inn of Court, any scholarships or prizes received, and the date of your call to the Bar. If you hold additional qualifications such as a Master's degree or professional mediator accreditation, include these.
Called to the Bar
Called to the Bar of England and Wales by one of the four Inns of Court, the formal qualification to practise as a barrister.
Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC/BPC)
The vocational training course for barristers, covering advocacy, drafting, opinion writing, and professional ethics.
Inn of Court Scholarship
A competitive scholarship awarded by an Inn of Court in recognition of academic excellence and potential for a career at the Bar.
Qualified Mediator
Accreditation as a civil or commercial mediator, enabling practice in alternative dispute resolution alongside advocacy work.
Frequently Asked Questions
How should a barrister CV differ from a solicitor CV?
Should I include my case list on my CV?
How important are legal directory rankings for barristers?
How long should a barrister CV be?
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