Barristers

Barristers are engaged by solicitors to provide specialist advice on points of law. Barristers are rarely, if ever, instructed by clients directly. Instead, the client's solicitors will instruct a barrister on behalf of the client when appropriate. Qualification as a barrister takes place in three stages: the academic stage, the vocational stage and the apprenticeship stage. There are about 2000 barristers in Ireland, and most of these are based in the Dublin area.