Christianah B
18/04/2019
The legal profession tends to use a lot of jargon, but a good lawyer prides themselves on giving advice in plain English. Thus, to aid aspiring barristers, here are 20 legal words and phrases which barristers commonly use.
Barrister – a lawyer who specialises in advocacy. Barristers usually work in a set of chambers with other barristers, but some are employed by law firms.
Bar school – the informal name for a provider of the BPTC.
Bench – the judge/judges.
Brief – the documents setting out instructions for a barrister to argue a case in court.
Call to the Bar – a formal graduation-style ceremony, in which the head of an inn of court officially entitles a graduate of the BPTC to be called a 'barrister'.
Chambers – where barristers work (also known as a 'set').
Clerk – a chamber's staff member responsible for managing barristers’ diaries.
Counsel – a barrister.
CPS – the Crown Prosecution Service (responsible for the prosecution of criminal offences in England and Wales).
GDL – graduate diploma in law.
Head of chambers – a senior barrister in a set of chambers, appointed as its head.
Marshalling – work experience shadowing a judge.
Mini-pupil – the name given to someone undertaking work experience in a set of chambers.
Moot – a legal debate.
Pupillage – one year of apprenticeship in chambers or another approved organisation.
Qualifying sessions – to qualify to be called to the Bar, prospective barristers must pass the BPTC and attend 12 qualifying sessions at their chosen inn of court.
Silk – an informal term for a ‘QC’ (Queen's Counsel).
Tenancy – towards the end of their pupillage, an individual may be offered a tenancy as a self-employed barrister.
Tenant – a member of a set of chambers.
Third six – a pupil not invited to become a tenant may be offered a 'third six'.