Barrister and Solicitor

Demand for law courses has dropped according to this year’s CAO figures, despite the fact that a third-level law degree is considered to be one of the most prestigious options. Law graduates usually decide to continue their studies at Blackhall Place or the Honourable Society of King’s Inns, depending on whether they are considering a career as a solicitor or a barrister respectively.

A considerable level of commitment is necessary as the process of qualification is a long one and although it is a financially rewarding prospect in the long-term, the immediate picture is not as enticing. However for the ambitious with big career aspirations law is a worthy choice…

Education
NUI Maynooth announced two new Law degrees for 2008 Leaving Cert holders: Business & Law and Law & Arts, the first law degrees available at the college. Since it will be the first year for applications there is no way to ascertain the level of points required however using other colleges specifications is a good guideline, which are usually in the region of 500 points and over. 

There are a wide range of law courses available at other third level colleges, including Law and Legal Studies degrees, while degrees combining Law with another subject such as History, Politics, Philosophy, Taxation, Business, French and German are very popular. There are also higher-certificate and ordinary degree courses available in Legal Studies and Legal Studies with Business that can facilitate access to the degree courses.

Law students study many aspects of Irish and International law (such as tort, contract, criminal, land, constitutional), as well as subjects such as Irish Legal History and Legal Writing. Students on some courses will also have core or optional subjects in areas such as languages, business and the arts.

Options after Qualification
As already mentioned, a law degree does not ensure a successful career in law. Further training is needed. The Law Society oversees the professional training and certification of solicitors, while the Honourable Society of King’s Inns oversees the education of barristers in Ireland.

Newly qualified solicitors usually start as a junior in an established private practice, while new barristers spend a period devilling with an experienced barrister before branching out on their own.

A general law degree also opens many doors in careers such as politics, journalism, lecturing, banking, stock-broking, teaching, and property management; and there are also opportunities in the public service, insurance and taxation sectors.

There are lots of opportunities for postgraduate study and research in legal studies, and students can specialise in areas such as human rights, European law or criminal justice.

The Work
Solicitors are often the first port of call for a member of the public when legal matters arise; solicitors can provide all manner of legal advice and services to the public, organisations, and businesses.

Common tasks and responsibilities include drawing up documents to oversee land and property sales, helping individuals in legal disputes with others (e.g., unlawful dismissal, accidents), drawing up wills and other legal agreements, dealing with business and corporate law (e.g., mergers, copyright issues), advising people in trouble with the Gardaí and briefing barristers for court cases.

Some of the bigger firms of solicitors specialise in a particular area, such as environmental or media law.

The main role of the barrister is to plead cases before the district, circuit, high and supreme courts. They can work for the prosecution or the defence. Barristers don’t usually deal with individual members of the public; they receive instructions and briefs from a solicitor. Solicitors often consult barristers for their advice and opinions on specific legal points, even if a court case is not pending.

Barristers also represent clients at tribunals and public enquires, and draft legal documents. Some barristers specialise in certain areas, such as criminal, family or labour law.

Personal Qualities & Work Environment
An aptitude and command over the English is vital, as it will be necessary to understand and translate complex legal language. Researching skills will be useful as will an ability to communicate well with people. Barristers are not allowed advertise and so survive solely on reputation and word of mouth so fostering good relationships with peers and clients is a must. Confidence and public speaking skills are also required.

Solicitors usually work from an office, while barristers divide their time between their chambers and the courtroom. Long hours are common and expected, especially for people beginning their legal careers.

The Money
Law is a financially rewarding profession. Assistant solicitors can earn well in excess of €30,000, while salaried partners in a firm typically make €63,500 or more. Six-figure salaries are common.

Barristers have the capacity to command even higher salaries, although as barristers are self-employed there are no guarantees, and while junior barristers are building their reputation, they may have to supplement their income by other means such as teaching or journalism.

Jargon
Adverse possession: When someone occupies land without legal title for a long enough period, normally 12 years, that they are recognized as the legal owner (‘squatter's rights’)
Conveyance: The transfer of ownership and rights of property from one person to another
Tort: Any wrongdoing that may result in a civil action for damages
Devilling: A period of training where a trainee barrister shadows an experienced barrister for a year

Job Titles
Barrister
Solicitor

Further Resources
Law Society of Ireland
Blackhall Place
Dublin 7
Phone: 01 672 4800
Web: www.lawsociety.ie
Email: general@lawsociety.ie

King's Inns,
Henrietta Street
Dublin 1
Phone: 01 874 4840
Web: www.kingsinns.ie
Email: info@kingsinns.ie

Griffith College Dublin
South Circular Road,
Dublin 8
Phone: 01 4150400
Web: www.gcd.ie
Email: admissions@gcd.ie

Irish Centre for Human Rights
NUI Galway
University Road
Co Galway
Tel: 091 493 948
Web: www.nuigalway.ie/human_rights/index.html
Email: humanrights@nuigalway.ie