It is of no surprise that a barrister’s career is both rewarding and competitive. Whether you’re an experienced legal practitioner or a newcomer in the field, an effective legal resume is particularly important as a marketing tool to announce your skills, accomplishments, and commitment to the legal profession . But what does a winning barrister’s CV truly entail?
This blog goes on to focus on the format, the structure, the content, and the overall design of a perfect barrister’s CV. Tips to enhance your curriculum vitae, what errors to watch out for and a free convenient template model that you can download to save time are also here.
Also see:Back-End Developer CV Sample (+ Free Download Example)
What is a Barrister CV?
A barrister CV is a comprehensive document that comprises all the relevant work history, skills, formal education qualifications, etc. that one possesses and is targeted towards applying for a position in the field of law.
Your CV as a barrister needs to be focused on legal education received, legal practice before courts, legal advocacy and legal practice in the areas of law practiced by the barrister.
What Makes a Barrister CV Stand Out?
There is competition in the legal career and even more so when applying for pupillages or seeking positions in chambers. Your curriculum vitae must communicate not only your academic and professional qualifications but also particular qualities that define you as a legal practitioner.
What Should Be Included in the Barristers CV?
Below are a number of elements that can characterize a standout barrister’s CV:
Title: Arrange your work in reverse chronological order and provide the title of each position held.
One Page CV: Limit yourself to a one page CV, but even this can be given more focus depending on the recruiters professional appetite.
Professional Tone: Be concise and do not use non-official phrases in writing, it is important to emphasize words that matter.
Achievements Over Duties: Rather than active descriptions over every post that was ever held and focusing on listing duties and responsibilities, try to emphasize what the outcomes and success stories of the work were instead.
Let’s look at how to structure your barrister curriculum vitae to incorporate these features.
How to Structure a Barrister CV
1. Personal Information
Starting off, one should inform the potential employer of fully acquired information such as their complete name, addresses, contacts and his/her professional networks.
One can actually write a short description of oneself focusing on his work history and his objectives in the career they are about to embark on. Update it regularly.
2. Education
Be sure to cover everything when listing your qualification, for instance, any higher educational institutions attended, A levels or its equivalents and followed up by certificate courses that are legally allowed.
Draft in chronology by starting from your most recent qualification and then working your way back.
List your academic background, including:
- Law degree (L.L.B or equivalent)
- Bar Vocational Course (BVC) or equivalent (if applicable)
- Additional certifications or professional development courses related to law (e.g., advanced legal research, specific legal training)
3.Employment History
The barrister’s work experience comes next. It should however be noted that when writing the experience, only the most recent is essential.
Instead of outlining duties in each position, enumerate the most significant responsibilities and accomplishments that were achieved while occupying each position.
Previous positions as a barrister or any legal role, specifying the areas of law worked in (e.g., criminal, family, civil).
Key responsibilities and tasks, such as:
- Courtroom advocacy
- Drafting legal documents
- Providing legal advice
- Negotiating settlements
- Any notable cases or clients you’ve worked with.
4. Skills and Expertise
This section should highlight the core skills and competencies that make you an exceptional barrister. What to write here include:
- Advocacy and public speaking
- Legal research and writing
- Negotiation skills
- Analytical thinking
- Time management and organization
- Ability to work under pressure and handle complex legal matters
- Communication skills
6. Achievements and Awards
You are to add to your curriculum vitae any awards, recognitions, or accolades you’ve received throughout your career, such as:
- Academic achievements (e.g., top marks in law exams)
- Recognition in legal directories or publications
- Successful outcomes in high-profile cases
7. Professional Affiliations
Make a list of memberships or affiliations with legal organizations, such as:
- The Bar Council
- Local or national bar associations
- Legal societies or advocacy groups
8. References
While references are not always required in the initial stages, it’s helpful to mention that references are available upon request.
Alternatively, you can provide references directly if you have received permission from the individuals.
When writing this document, it is imperative to note that in the legal profession that this time requires certain basic standards which when not adopted will make the CV to look unprofessional.
Use of the format below will ensure that the document is formal and does not vary from standard.
Free Barrister CV Sample
Below is a simple example of how your barrister CV could look:
John Doe
Barrister at Law
123 Awolowo way, Ikeja, Lagos
Phone: +234 801 456 7890
Email: johndoe@email.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johndoe
Personal Statement
An experienced barrister with over 8 years in criminal and commercial law. Highly skilled in courtroom advocacy, legal research, and client negotiations. Committed to delivering high-quality legal services and achieving the best possible outcomes for clients.
Education
- Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) – University of London, 2012
- Bar Vocational Course (BVC) – City Law School, 2013
- Certificate in Commercial Law – University of Oxford, 2015
Professional Experience
- Barrister – Chambers of John Smith QC, 2014–Present
- Specialized in criminal and commercial law
- Represented clients in over 100 court cases, including high-profile criminal trials
- Drafted legal documents and provided expert legal advice on complex commercial matters
- Achieved favorable outcomes in 80% of cases
Skills and Expertise
- Courtroom advocacy
- Legal research and writing
- Negotiation and settlement
- Criminal law and commercial law expertise
- Client relationship management
Achievements
- Winner of the 2017 Legal Excellence Award for Criminal Law
- Recognized as a rising star in criminal law by Chambers UK 2019
References
Available upon request
Download Your Free Barrister CV Sample
To help you get started, we’ve created a sample barrister CV tailored for aspiring and experienced legal professionals. It follows the structure discussed above and allows you to easily fill in your own details.
Download Your Free Barrister CV Template in MS Word
Tips for Crafting a Perfect Barrister CV
Focus on Why The Particular Job Is Of Interest to The Barrister
Every job description and every barrister job may require a combination of different skills so, be sure to modify each job application’s CV according to the description provided. Emphasize the skills and experience which you think best matches the role you intend to apply for.
Don’t Make It A Long Read
Filling up the barrister CV using unnecessary information is surely a bad practice. For those wishing to become a barrister, their CV must not be more than two pages. While writing, focus on the essential qualifications and features of your experience.
Using Strong Action Words
Use strong action verbs at the start of the bullet points such as “represented”, “advised”, “negotiated”, and “advocated”. By doing so, all your achievements can be easily noted and it also conveys that you are proactive.
Proofread for Accuracy
Errors on your CV can deter people from seeing you in a professional light. Especially if you have misspelled words or have bad grammar or even punctuation.
Always proofread your CV once to ensure all grammar and punctuation are correct.
Showcase Your Legal Skills
Remember to stress out the most important legal skills of yours, particularly those which will be demanded in the role that you are applying for such as trial advocacy, negotiation, and legal writing.
Final Thoughts: Barrister CV Sample (Download For Free)
A strong curriculum vitae can open doors to exciting opportunities in the legal world. By following this guide—and updating your CV following this as your experience grows—you’ll be well on your way to achieving your career goals.
Start creating your professional CV today. And don’t forget to download our free template to make the process even easier!