Kings Inns to work abroad

CantGetNoSleep

Hi all

I have a law degree and would like to work in a commercial law firm, however for personal reasons I can't do this in Ireland. Ireland does however seem like the easiest place to qualify.

Obviously the time it takes to do a training contract etc means that this is not my first option (without going into the difficulties of getting a training contract / FE1s etc).

I am looking in to the possibility of becoming a barrister and then registering at a foreign bar.

The main question I have is that once I do the BL degree and I am called to the bar, am I then officially a barrister without doing the 1 year of devilling?

Appreciate any input (or discouragement)

Tom Young

Answer: Yes. Comment: Barristers are litigation lawyers/advocates, not anything else really, both here and other common law jurisdictions. The transfer rule to, e.g., UK, under the Bosman logic = 4 years certified practice, three plus devilling. Otherwise qualify and do a local exam to transfer to wherever you end up.

NoQuarter

Yes, you are officially a Barrister once you are called to the bar which happens around July. You cant practice in Ireland without devilling because it seems to be against proper practice and the Bar Council wont allow it.

Once you are a Barrister here, however, doesnt mean you are qualified elsewhere, ie, to qualify in England, you need to be a practicing Barrister for 3 years over here. Each country probably has their own rules.

However, if you have some kind of plan to qualify as a lawyer here and go in-house somewhere else in some niche area, there is nothing to stop you.

CantGetNoSleep

Thanks for the replies guys, I will look into the local rules before I commit to it, but I have heard it has been done. Other jurisdictions are different than the UK as the concept of barrister doesn't exist.

Tom Young

Yeah: Civil Law, but they have advocates.

I'd be very slow to tell you to commit to training here if you're going abroad.

It's massive cash to qualify and it might be better spent on a fancy car or a horse. I'm actually not joking. Whole heap of uncertainty here at present.

Tom Young

Yeah: Civil Law, but they have advocates.

I'd be very slow to tell you to commit to training here if you're going abroad.

It's massive cash to qualify and it might be better spent on a fancy car or a horse. I'm actually not joking. Whole heap of uncertainty here at present.

NoQuarter

CantGetNoSleep wrote: »

Thanks for the replies guys, I will look into the local rules before I commit to it, but I have heard it has been done. Other jurisdictions are different than the UK as the concept of barrister doesn't exist.

If you want to divulge more info or a general plan you have we might be able to advise better.