Practising Certificate (Barrister) - New South Wales

Description

You will need this practising certificate if you intend to practise as a barrister in New South Wales. Barristers work as independent or sole practitioners and specialise in court work. A barrister's practising certificate is the same as 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 NSW Bar Association and the law. 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 principle place of practise is another Australian state or territory.

Please consult the Contact Officer for more information.

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 an application for an Australian practising certificate with the appropriate conditions attached
  • complete the 12 month reading programme
  • have professional indemnity insurance
  • pay all fees related to your application.

Please consult the Contact Officer for more information regarding eligibility requirements.

Prerequisites

Must Have

Certificate of Admission as a Lawyer

Ongoing eligibility requirements

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

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

Duration

Annual.

Expiry

You will need to renew your certificate by 7 June each year.

Fees

Fees Details for this service in table format.

Task Type Business Structure Description
Apply Application All

Fees are listed on the application form.

Act(s) name

Legal Profession Uniform Law (NSW) NSW

Regulation(s) name

Legal Profession Uniform Continuing Professional Development (Barristers) Rules 2015 NSW

Legal Profession Uniform General Rules 2015 NSW

Lodgement process

Apply

Please lodge your application directly with the Agency.

Approval time

You application will take at least 12 months.

Additional information

If you are a legal practitioner from New Zealand, you can apply to have your qualifications recognised in New South Wales.

The New South Wales bar exam is offered twice a year.

You have the right to appeal to the NSW Bar Association if your application for a barrister's practising certificate is refused.

If you have previously held a New South Wales barrister's practising certificate and more than two years has passed since it expired, you will be required to undertake the bar exam and the reading programme again.

Disqualified persons or entities

You may not be eligible for a barrister's practising certificate if you:

  • currently have (or are applying for) an Australian practising certificate that would be in force alongside
  • are not a fit and proper person.

Administering agency

NSW Bar Association

Contact details

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

Certification Officer, Certification Unit

NSW Bar Association
Operating address: 174 Phillip Street
Sydney
New South Wales 2000
Phone: 02 9232 4055
Fax: 02 9221 1149
Email: certification@nswbar.asn.au
Website: NSW Bar Association (Opens in new window)