Barrister Business eLearning Course

Course Content

1. Introduction to the course
1.1 Introduction to the course
5 Topics
1.1.1. Who we are – experience in the sector
1.1.2. Why the course was written
1.1.3. Who will benefit from it
1.1.4. What will it contain
1.1.5. Expectations and how to get the most from it
2. Chambers of England and Wales
2.1. Demographics of the industry
2 Topics
2.1.1. Types of chambers
2.1.2. Where they are – including numbers
2.2. The structure of chambers
2 Topics
2.2.1. The structure of chambers
2.2.2. Staffing of chambers – common factors and variations across legal disciplines
2.3. Chambers governance
4 Topics
2.3.1. Management committees
2.3.2. Legal implications and regulations
2.3.3. Chambers Finance
2.3.4. Ethics and personal responsibility
3. The business end of chambers
3.1. How chambers are funded
3 Topics
3.1.1. Costs of running a chambers
3.1.2. Income streams
3.1.3. Finance management
3.2. Types of work available to barristers
4 Topics
3.2.1. Private, public and insurance funded
3.2.2. Low value / high value work
3.2.3. On your feet work vs desk work
3.2.4. Financially attractive work – the ultimate aim
3.3. How work is allocated in chambers
4 Topics
3.3.1. Fair allocation of work policy
3.3.2. Reality of day-to-day operations
3.3.3. Named v Unnamed briefs
3.3.4. Handling jealousy/envy
4. Tenancy
4.1. What is tenancy
3 Topics
4.1.1. What you can expect as a new tenant in chambers
4.1.2. Your first years as a member of chambers
4.1.3. Regulatory requirements, insurance, etc
4.2. Considerations of Self-employment
3 Topics
4.2.1. The reality of self-employment
4.2.2. Handling fluctuating income
4.2.3. Health and Wellbeing
4.3. Finance
3 Topics
4.3.1. Earnings as a barrister
4.3.2. Chambers rent/commission
4.3.3. Tax, VAT, financial planning
5. Working with your practice team
5.1. The Role of a barristers Clerk
3 Topics
5.1.1. Clerk’s Room structure and sector variations
5.1.2. Strengths and limitations
5.1.3. Billing and fees clerks
5.2. How to get the best out of your Clerk’s Room
3 Topics
5.2.1. How to get the best from your team – pitfalls and advantages
5.2.2. Practice Development Meetings
5.2.3. Your personal conduct
6. Practice Development
6.1. What can you do as a Barrister to develop your practice
3 Topics
6.1.1. The secret to becoming successful
6.1.2. The importance of relationships
6.1.3. Personal branding
6.2. Business development techniques
6 Topics
6.2.1. How to build a professional network
6.2.2. Goal setting
6.2.3. Practicalities and limitations
6.2.4. Social media
6.2.5. Client services – Moments of truth
6.2.6. Own goals and how to avoid them
7. Going forward
7.1. Conclusion
3 Topics
7.1.1. Next actions
7.1.2. Extra reading
7.1.3. Acknowledgements