Practising Certificate (Barrister) - New South Wales

Description

You will need this practising certificate if you intend to principally practice as a barrister. Barristers are sole practitioners and specialise in court work. A barrister's practising certificate is an Australian practising certificate but with an additional condition allowing the holder to act as a barrister.

As a barrister, you must follow strict regulations set down by the New South Wales Bar Association and the legislative regime which regulates the legal profession and is known as the Uniform Law (see below). You must also complete extensive academic and professional training.

You do not need to apply for this certificate if you already have a barrister's practising certificate and your principal place of practice is in another Australian state or territory. The New South Wales bar exam is offered twice a year.

Service type

Licence

A licence defines the need to obtain recognition / certification and registration to undertake a certain business activity.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for a barrister's practising certificate, you must:

  • be a fit and proper person
  • be admitted as a lawyer to the Supreme Court of New South Wales or in another Australian state or territory
  • pass the New South Wales bar exam
  • complete the 12-month reading program
  • have the required professional indemnity insurance.

Ongoing eligibility requirements

As a practising barrister in New South Wales, you must:

  • follow all conditions placed on your practising certificate
  • not hold another practising certificate while your current practising certificate is in force
  • complete the required amount of continuing professional development (CPD) every 12 months.

Duration

12 months

Expiry

You will need to renew your certificate by 30 June each year. Renewal applications should be lodged by 7 June in each year.

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Application All

Fee information is in the attached fee resource.

Act(s) name

Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) 2014 New South Wales

Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Act 2014 New South Wales

Regulation(s) name

Legal Profession Uniform Barristers (Conduct) Rules 2015 New South Wales

Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Barristers) Rules 2015 New South Wales

Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 New South Wales

Legal Profession Uniform Law Application Regulation 2015 New South Wales

Administering agency

New South Wales Bar Association

Contact details

Contact Email, Phone and Address Details for this service in simple two column table format, header then data.