Some practical questions for Barristers..

NoQuarter

So I have 2 questions:

1. With this legal services bill coming through, there was provision made for Barristers to be employed in companies and being able to also practice. What would the case be in relation to people with the Barrister-at-law degree but who have never practiced before.. if they were taken on by a company and wanted to act in proceedings for that company, would they have to devil beforehand for a year?

2. Could someone provide a breakdown of the costs facing someone heading down to practice next year?

Thanks.

FreudianSlippers

NoQuarter wrote: »

So I have 2 questions:

1. With this legal services bill coming through, there was provision made for Barristers to be employed in companies and being able to also practice. What would the case be in relation to people with the Barrister-at-law degree but who have never practiced before.. if they were taken on by a company and wanted to act in proceedings for that company, would they have to devil beforehand for a year?

I believe that would be correct. As much as I would like, perhaps for my own bank account, a steady income in-house; I don't think that many barristers will/would actually make the move in-house (for various reasons).

2. Could someone provide a breakdown of the costs facing someone heading down to practice next year?

Depends on if you live in Dublin or not (rent etc.)

Gown, shirts, tabs, collars: somewhere around €750 (I think the Hong Kong tailor does gowns for €500 or so. Shirts are €80.

Subscriptions: First year is, I think, roughly €2000 plus indemnity insurance is somewhere around €125 your first year.

Then it depends on whether your master gives you a devil card for lunch and other expenses.

NoQuarter

FreudianSlippers wrote: »

I believe that would be correct. As much as I would like, perhaps for my own bank account, a steady income in-house; I don't think that many barristers will/would actually make the move in-house (for various reasons).


Depends on if you live in Dublin or not (rent etc.)

Gown, shirts, tabs, collars: somewhere around €750 (I think the Hong Kong tailor does gowns for €500 or so. Shirts are €80.

Subscriptions: First year is, I think, roughly €2000 plus indemnity insurance is somewhere around €125 your first year.

Then it depends on whether your master gives you a devil card for lunch and other expenses.

Thanks for the reply.

On point 2... the subscription of 2000 is to the library right? I did hear a rumour that some masters pay the library fees for their devils, is this not the case?

Would you suggest leaving the wig until such a time as you can afford it nowadays?

Ive never heard of a devil card, any more info on what its about/entails?

FreudianSlippers

NoQuarter wrote: »

Thanks for the reply.

On point 2... the subscription of 2000 is to the library right? I did hear a rumour that some masters pay the library fees for their devils, is this not the case?

Would you suggest leaving the wig until such a time as you can afford it nowadays?

Ive never heard of a devil card, any more info on what its about/entails?

Yes, the library subscription of €2000 but I forgot to mention you can pay it monthly or quarterly. I don't know about masters paying for the subscription, neither of mine did (1st or 2nd year)

The wig is expensive and most people don't bother, but you will have to buy the gown which isn't cheap either. I got mine from Louis Copeland and honestly cannot remember the price, but I know the HK tailor does them (upstairs in Distillery a few times a year and always there before October).

The 'devil card' is basically a card some masters give that you can use to photocopy, buy food/drink in the Distillery Building or Four Courts (also handy to check out library books on it for your master in case they keep them out for ages and you get massive late fees). Your master will tell you how much to top it up by and you just use it for whatever until the money is gone and then top it up again.
Pretty handy to have tbh, but I know a lot of people these days don't seem to have them any more - idk what they do (my 2nd year master just gave me some money to put on my own personal library card).

NoQuarter

Thanks, I have a million questions but they all come to me in their own time, when I'm on the spot like now I can never remember all the ones I wanted to ask!

One quick one though... At what stage do you actually become a Barrister. Is it on being called to the bar in July? And therefore from July to October you are a Barrister technically but are just waiting to practice?

And if someone was going in-house after the KI degree, would they bother being called to the bar or is that only for intended practisee's?

Reloc8

NoQuarter wrote: »

One quick one though... At what stage do you actually become a Barrister. Is it on being called to the bar in July? And therefore from July to October you are a Barrister technically but are just waiting to practice?

And if someone was going in-house after the KI degree, would they bother being called to the bar or is that only for intended practisee's?

Yes and yes (on the latter - why not, even if you don't intend to practise - you forked out the money and might as well have a day out on it).

On status pending, you are a barrister from call onwards (not insured though - careful there - and not a member of the law library until October).

Other overheads include phone, travel, stationary etc. Basically, presume you join law library and have a roof over your head so to speak, covered by your sub, now think of everything else you will want or need, and those are your overheads.