Solicitor or barrister-why I chose to become a solicitor

Anyone with an interest in pursuing a career in law will face the choice of going the solicitor route or barrister route. This video explains why I chose to be a solicitor.
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[@JSL2000]

That's actually very inspiring taking on an apprenticeship after a long successful business career.

[@donaghcoffey2416]

Great video Terry, thanks for addressing the topic. It does seem (certainly in Ireland anyway), in order to have any hope of starting off as a Barrister you need to have contacts, perhaps even before you sit the exams at the Kings Inn. Your story is a great one. From rags to riches then rags again (because of the recession) & thankfully seem to be doing OK nowadays. Your story is a really important One. It's a clear demonstration that hard work beats talent. Well done Terry 👍

[@gmailaccount3423]

Thanks for posting. Very good of you to advise others like this.

[@vonzaku5797]

Your answer is so authentic. Thank you for sharing.

[@syedshabazs1036]

I love your content, it brings me hope for professional and personal reinventing...

[@Quelquefleur]

Loved this video.

[@darrenfarrell-bn2cb]

Some Barristers get Hard Financially unless affiliated to a Higher Power, I worked hard for 25 Years as a HGV Mechanic, the Solicitors apprenticeship sounds very attractive to me. I would love to down that avenue.

[@irenafinnegan5341]

One of the reasons why I chose solicitor's route (doing my FE1) and working as a legal executive! Thank you for sharing!

[@terrygorry]

Glad it was helpful!

[@ProDemocracy01]

Thank for sharing

[@paddymorris6581]

You are a wise man

[@aoibhin7120]

I'm currently drowning in FE1 study this video and your success and motivation cheered me up a bit, so I'll be able to put in a few more hours today now! Thanks!

[@samwalsh8299]

What degree did you get?

[@aoibhin7120]

@@samwalsh8299 law and German

[@samwalsh8299]

@@aoibhin7120 do you think doing a law degree was helpful ?

[@aoibhin7120]

@@samwalsh8299 I mean it gave me some base knowledge which probably cut out a bit of study bit I know plenty people who got through the fe1s without a law degree

[@marysmyth8687]

Good video.

[@jamesnickel4748]

Hey Terry, Thank you so much for posting this video. My daughter who is currently about to enter law school in London soon has been struggling with this decision for some time and this certainly is enlightening. Much appreciated and all the best! 😄

[@terrygorry]

James, my video refers to the situation in Ireland. It could be different in the UK so you or she needs to check this and not rely on my video.

[@jamesnickel4748]

@@terrygorry Shall do, seems to be quite similar! Thanks. 👍

[@franktrappe4916]

Thanks Terry.

[@terrygorry]

No problem, Frank :-)

[@Kate-br4wu]

Super interesting! I thought you had been a solicitor for much longer than 10 years! Very impressive

[@dylanlyons6]

I would hope (and I emphasise hope) that the lack of money in the criminal sector as a barrister would push most away from it - therefore the work may be there for myself in time. I have committed to becoming a barrister...I am apprehensive to say the least but, surely if you work hard enough it is possible. Great video btw!

[@terrygorry]

Thanks, good luck with it.

[@darrenreid3502]

Two questions for you Terry. Firstly, would you ever consider becoming a judge ? You have a lot of life experience & you understand people well . Second question. Solicitors can now hold the title Senior Council, do you think both professions solicitor/barrister will merge into one ?

[@terrygorry]

Darren, I am happy enough doing what I am doing and serving my clients. Don't think there will be a merger in the near future, but it is not something I would have given much thought to, quite frankly

[@Oliver-qg2tn]

Very helpful video! I'm planning on becoming on solicitor, however I'm only just going into college now. I don't know if I'll be able to get enough money to support myself through university so I want to do an apprenticeship. How hard is it to obtain one in a law firm? How would I beat the competition? Thanks.

[@terrygorry]

Your biggest advantage will be that you are cheap. So make yourself useful and have a good attitude and you should be ok. Afterwards, it is down to yourself

[@TheNo1MovieMan]

Interesting tack you took in the video Terry, I expected you to mention the fact that you need €18,000 or whatever to go to the King's Inns for a year and then spend two years deviling for free while paying subscriptions fees to the Law Library for the privilege. Not sure what the future holds for the barrister profession... I've read that many multinationals, etc. don't like the solicitor/barrister set-up in this state, not to mention that it leaves us as an outlier in the EU.

[@terrygorry]

Yeah, I don't know the details of the barrister profession but I know it is tough. But if you could generate enough income it would be of little consequence, in my view. I probably paid €18,000 and more to be a solicitor. I am not concerned about that; I am concerned about whether I can recover it. Thankfully, I can.

[@bobcoleman2225]

master pays for the pupils law library fees

[@nikkion2140]

Terry, please tell us: (i) How many exams one has to take to get Law Society membership? (ii) Did you do distance learning study of some form or you attended university for that? (iii) How long is the training at solicitor firm? (iv) Are you qualified to practice outside Ireland? If so which other countries you can be recognised? (v) Are you taking on any trainee? Thanks a million in advance. God bless.

[@terrygorry]

You have to pass the entrance exams to the Law Society-there are 8. No, went to Griffith College to do a preparatory course. 18 months/2 years, I think. No, Ireland only. No.

[@keelan6960]

I think I am going to the district court over a defective product and I have not been involved with litigation prior to this . Have you any advice ? I believe companies have to have solicitors in court . Do you know if people can attend court now due to current restrictions as I believe this would be useful to my case . Very much obliged

[@terrygorry]

My advice is to get a solicitor

[@harryfoleyguitar5548]

Hiya Terry, I loved this video, is there any advice for a 26 year old with a partner and a young child on the best way to become a solicitor with no experience in the legal sector?

[@terrygorry]

You will have to pass the exams and do the apprenticeship, like everyone else. The only advice is to focus on the exams and get them out of the way as soon as possible.

[@josievanembden9639]

Hi Gerry, i know this video is three years old. However, i found it really useful. Im 42, and have always had a niggling feeling that id like to become a solicitor. Is it extremely difficult to make that happen as a mature student without a law degree? I'd be extremely interested in speaking to anyone else who has done this. Ive followed you for a while, and I'm heartened to learn you became a solicitor later on. Amazing

[@terrygorry]

You need to pass FE1s first. This is the key.👍

[@josievanembden9639]

@@terrygorry thanks, I'm going for them next October. Wish me luck!

[@terrygorry]

Good luck with them 👍@@josievanembden9639

[@Jcserve-pr8uc]

Inspiration. But what about someone with a string of misdemeanors (about 30) due to alcohol and other mitigating factors? But they occured in the UK - as irish citizen do the convictions need to be disclosed even if the person believes their character is reformed?

[@terrygorry]

Not sure about this, to be honest. But convictions for criminal acts would generally be a problem. There may be exceptions and exemptions, however, depending on the conviction, when it occurred etc. Check with Law Society.

[@Jcserve-pr8uc]

@@terrygorry thank you very much for replying.

[@thescribe6111]

Really interesting Terry, thank you. Subscribed. I had a place at law school in the 80's, love made the decision for me. Barrister was the route I was hoping to take. Life has been good to me though through another career. I have question now if you don't mind? I have a solicitor instructed in respect of a relative that owes me money. Court date in November, barrister instructed, not yet met. Solicitor refused to commit to a barrister yet charged me for 6 contacts with different chambers. Like I know which one? My own research told me two were insolvency specialists!? My fees are hitting nearly the amount subject of action. I'm being charged for silly errors solicitor has made during the drawing up of statements. Mine were filed late as I wasn't given the date and he's charging me the full 6 mins to send/receive I one line email. Can he do this and is there specialist solicitors where I can get the bill audited after the case? I really think I'm being ripped off.

[@terrygorry]

If you are not happy with what you are charged you will have to option to have the bill "taxed". This means assessed by the County Registrar or Taxing Master in the High Court. Speak to your solicitor, first, as it is better to avoid taxation. It will delay things and cost more.

[@thescribe6111]

@@terrygorry Thank you Terry. Yes I will do that. He has a habit of ignoring pertinent questions such as "why have my estimated costs risen by 10K?" (I omitted to sign the original letter of engagement tacked on to the bottom of an initial email). I think non professionals in any field are wary of questioning our appointed professionals, particularly mid case for fear of jeopardising the outcome even though of course that would not be ethical. Thank you once again Terry for the advice. I won't take up any more of your valuable time. If down the line I have any type of interesting outcome I should like to let you know.

[@iMatti00]

Can someone become both a solicitor and a barrister at the same time? Even if it’s not the most practical thing, maybe there is maybe doesn’t, is it possible? And what would you have to do to be both? Would you have to go to school for double the time or just have an additional course without repeating everything?

[@terrygorry]

Yes, if you wish. Separate courses of study

[@iMatti00]

@@terrygorry - So do you take an additional course to be both or do you literally have to do 100% of both courses which doubles your entire studies? Thanks

[@garyb2507]

​@@iMatti00 In Tasmania, whilst we have a small but growing independent bar, everyone who is admitted is registered as both a barrister and solicitor, our training (ordinarily 5.5 years of uni.) and admission to the Supreme/High Court role of practitioners reflects this.Tasmania has a small population, so we assume both roles, or, if we wish, we can elect to work predominantly as one or the other.

[@ciarz4993]

Hi Terry, Have you done any videos detailing how to become a solicitor on ireland? I'm in my 30's and think I'm finally in a position to pursue this.

[@terrygorry]

No, it’s all set out on the Law Society website

[@ciarz4993]

@terrygorry thanks terry. One more question... Do you get paid while your serving the apprenticeship?

[@terrygorry]

@@ciarz4993 Yes, there is an apprentice rate of pay. not sure what it is now, though.

[@ciarz4993]

@@terrygorry thanks

[@katiedelaney3727]

Do you have to know any Irish to become a solicitor, because being a solicitor is my DREAM job! However I really struggle with Irish?

[@terrygorry]

Yes, there is an Irish requirement. It is not too bad, though.

[@katiedelaney3727]

@@terrygorry Would you say the Irish requirement will still be around when i would be going for a job like that? (Im 14)

[@terrygorry]

@@katiedelaney3727 I haven't a clue, to be honest. The requirement is there for many years so it probably still be hanging around, alright. It is not difficult, however, and a little bit of effort and application on your behalf and you should sail through. Nobody fails it!

[@ministry_of_love]

Would it be the case that the barrister profession is elitists?

[@terrygorry]

I couldn't possibly comment on that :-)

[@ministry_of_love]

@@terrygorry "You might believe that to be true, but I couldn't possibly comment" classic

[@catherinemccann895]

Misrepresentation can you help me