Can a barrister become a solicitor?

red herring

I heard that a solicitor can become a barrister after 10 years, is this true?

And can a barrister become a solicitor after a certain period of time has passed? without the fe1s?

I thought in the UK and Ireland you could only be a barrister or a solicitor, not both like being an attorney in the states. Could someone clarify this for me please?

seanybiker

As far as I know. Yes they can.

ArseBurger

Why not? There's nothing preventing a paediatrician becoming qualified as a gynaecologist for example.

jimmylawman

In Ireland and in UK and in other jurisdictions, there is a 'split profession' in effect (right term?).

This means that barristers and solicitors perform separate functions and there are clearly defined spheres of operation and activity. There are separate educational institutions and professional bodies.

In some jurisdictions (e.g. the States) there is no such split and a 'lawyer' will do all or some of the tasks performed here by a solicitor and barrister. In practice they will end up specialising in a particular function but there is no regulatory barrier to them doing all or any.

(You will find all this and more such info on wikipedia etc.)

I believe a barrister with a certain number of years practice can apply to become a solicitor and it involves sitting some exams. I am not sure how it works the other way around but I believe it is possible.

Are such change overs common? Would one be at a disadvantage not having come through the mainstream route? E.g. if a solicitor became a barrister but had never done the BL course?

Tom Young

The answer is yes, subject to the rules of the King's Inns in Ireland and any conversion criteria levied and appropriate from time to time. The period is less than 9/12, years.

Tom

subrosa

The most basic rule is that you cannot be both a solicitor and a barrister at the same time.

Barristers can apply to the law society three years after call. As far as I know you are exempted from most, but not all, of the society's requirements. For example I think you still have to do a palcement in a solicitors firm and maybe some sort of course.

I'm not sure of the procedure the other way round (solicitor to barrister) but its common enough. Indeed, anecdotally, this year the numbers were high, 10 -15 former solicitors entering the library. Looking for greener pastures I suppose.

impr0v

Some law firms will also employ barristers to work in the capacity of solicitors, without any need to cross-qualify. Same salary and responsibility as a solicitor, etc.