Entry and training for barristers in the Republic of Ireland

Qualification as a barrister takes place in three stages: the academic stage, the vocational stage and the training contract stage.

The academic stage

This refers to the primary degree that the barrister holds.

The vocational stage

The Honorable Society of King’s Inns is the body that provides education and training for those wishing to become barristers. It runs the Barrister-at-Law degree, the only professional practice course for barristers in the Republic of Ireland. The course is full time and lasts one year.

Law graduates with an approved degree are entitled to apply for a place on the Barrister-at-Law degree course. Law graduates must have studied several compulsory subjects. If they do not have this experience, they must pass an examination in the omitted subjects in the Society’s Diploma in Legal Studies course.

Law graduates must also sit an entrance examination, which covers various aspects of law. More information is available from the King’s Inns office .

Non-law graduates with an approved third-level degree are eligible to apply for a place on the Diploma in Legal Studies (two years part time). Graduates of the Diploma can then apply to sit the entrance examination for the Barrister-at-Law degree.

Some places are allocated to mature applicants (over 25 years old) who have a level of experience and/or education which is deemed acceptable to King’s Inns. They first need to sit an examination.

To be eligible to be called to the Bar, students need to:

• Pass the Barrister-at-Law degree
• Comply with the provisions of the Legal Qualifications Act (1929)
• The Legal Practitioners (Irish Language) Act 2008 requires attendance on a course in Irish language, but there is no subsequent examination
• Submit a declaration to the benchers

Republic of Ireland

Qualification as a barrister takes place in three stages: the academic stage, the vocational stage and the practical training stage.

The academic stage

This refers to the primary degree that the barrister holds. The vocational stage The Honorable Society of the King’s Inns is the body that provides education and training for barristers. It runs the Barrister-at-Law degree course in Dublin. Law graduates with an approved degree must apply by late May

In order to secure a place, students must sit an entrance examination in five subjects: Contract Law, Criminal Law, Irish Constitutional Law, Law of Torts, and Law of Evidence. The King’s Inns provides the course in two ways, to help those students who may have work commitments or are unable to move to Dublin. The full-time course runs from October to the end of May, with classes running all day Monday to Friday. The modular course lasts for two years and runs every third weekend, all day Saturday and Sunday, plus additional attendance of ten compulsory weekdays during term time. Contact the King’s Inn for details of the next course. Law graduates with an approved degree are entitled to apply for a place on the Barrister-at-Law degree course. Law graduates must have studied several compulsory subjects. If they do not have this experience, they must pass an examination in the omitted subjects in the Society’s Diploma in Legal Studies course. Law graduates must also sit an entrance examination, which covers various aspects of law. More information is available from the King’s Inns office or at www.kingsinns.ie.

Non-law graduates with an approved third-level degree are eligible to apply for a place on the Diploma in Legal Studies (two years part time). Graduates of the Diploma can then apply to sit the entrance examination for the Barrister-at-Law degree. Some places are allocated to mature applicants (over 23 years old) who have a level of experience and/or education which is deemed acceptable to King’s Inns. They first need to sit an examination.

To be eligible to be called to the Bar, students need to:

• Pass the Barrister-at-Law degree
• Pass a specified examination in the Irish language
• Submit a declaration to the benchers.

Pupillage

Newly qualified barristers have to train with an experienced Dublinbased barrister (Master) for a minimum of one year following their call to the Bar. This work is commonly known as ‘devilling’, and the training period known as ‘pupillage’. The work is unpaid and forms the essential learning period where they have an opportunity to apply their knowledge in a practical setting. Masters usually allocate a lot of background research, and much of the training period is spent drafting documents. The barrister accompanies their Master to court and observes the skills applied in the courtroom. Some newly qualified barristers train with a different Master for a second year. If they plan to attach themselves to a circuit outside Dublin, a second year of devilling in their chosen circuit is essential. A longer traineeship not only enables them to consolidate their learning, but it also expands their network of solicitors.

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