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pendy · 13-10-2005, 17:59

You can't force a barrister to take a case anymore.

And I know everyone thinks all barristers are earning a fortune, and some are. However at the Criminal Bar, it is virtually all legal aid work, which is very poorly paid comparatively, at about £140 a day. That may sound good, but most barristers don't get a case every day, some are lucky to get one a week. Out of that, they have to pay their whack of Chambers' fees, which includes the salaries of the clerks, telephone bills, electricity bills, etc.

So, our £140 a day comes down to about £80 a day, which of course is then taxed.

I know one barrister at the Criminal Bar who is thinking of giving up, because last year he earning the princely income of £14,000 for the whole year - gross. Deduct his Chambers' fees, then tax and NI. I wouldn't like to live on that, would you? Particularly after 3 years spend doing a degree, a year or so doing the Bar exams, and then a year's pupillage, earning virtually nothing.

Yes, I know I am prejudiced to an extent, but those are the facts.

The Judge was an idiot not to adjourn anyway.

13-10-2005, 17:59	#13
pendy Resting in peace Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: London/Oswaldtwistle Posts: 1,123 Liked: 0 times Rep Power: 910	Re: No wonder theres no justice!! You can't force a barrister to take a case anymore. And I know everyone thinks all barristers are earning a fortune, and some are. However at the Criminal Bar, it is virtually all legal aid work, which is very poorly paid comparatively, at about £140 a day. That may sound good, but most barristers don't get a case every day, some are lucky to get one a week. Out of that, they have to pay their whack of Chambers' fees, which includes the salaries of the clerks, telephone bills, electricity bills, etc. So, our £140 a day comes down to about £80 a day, which of course is then taxed. I know one barrister at the Criminal Bar who is thinking of giving up, because last year he earning the princely income of £14,000 for the whole year - gross. Deduct his Chambers' fees, then tax and NI. I wouldn't like to live on that, would you? Particularly after 3 years spend doing a degree, a year or so doing the Bar exams, and then a year's pupillage, earning virtually nothing. Yes, I know I am prejudiced to an extent, but those are the facts. The Judge was an idiot not to adjourn anyway.