Barrister

Built on Understanding – How Our Work With the Bar Has Helped Define Henry Dannell

When Kem and I founded Henry Dannell, we had a clear view of the type of advisory business we wanted to build. We did not want to be generalists who happened to work with complex clients. We wanted to develop genuine areas of specialism within the firm, where...

Education Hub

Why Barrister Income Should Be Understood Over a Career, Not From a Single Snapshot

For barristers, income rarely follows a perfectly linear path. Pupillage, the transition to self-employment, the development of a practice, changes in specialism, career breaks and eventually taking silk can all materially change how and when income is earned. Yet when it comes to mortgage lending, there can be a tendency...

Mortgages for Barristers Applying for Silk

Applying for King’s Counsel represents a significant point in a barrister’s career. By this stage, you may have developed a substantial practice, a strong history of earnings and considerable professional standing. Yet the period surrounding an application for silk can create an unusual position from a mortgage perspective. ...

Mortgages for New Tenants: A Guide for Barristers

Securing tenancy is a major milestone in a barrister’s career. Professionally, it marks the transition from pupillage into independent practice. Financially, however, it can create an unusual position when applying for a mortgage. You may now have greater earning potential and a developing practice, but relatively little historic...

Mortgages for King’s Counsel

Taking silk represents one of the most significant milestones in a barrister’s career. By this stage, you may have built a substantial practice, established a long history of self-employed earnings and developed considerable professional standing. From a mortgage perspective, this provides valuable evidence. It does not, however, mean that borrowing...

Mortgages for Junior Barristers

As a barrister’s practice develops, the mortgage conversation often changes with it. The challenge during pupillage and early tenancy may have been demonstrating sufficient history of self-employed income. A few years into practice, you are likely to have accounts, tax calculations and a more established track record. However, a...

Mortgages for Recorders and Judges

Judicial appointment represents an important stage in a barrister’s career and can materially change the way income needs to be considered for mortgage purposes. For some, this begins with appointment as a Recorder or another part-time judicial role alongside an established practice at the Bar. For others, a...

Mortgages For Pupil Barristers

Starting pupillage is a significant professional milestone. It can also be the point at which your finances begin to look very different from those of someone following a conventional employed career. For pupil barristers considering buying a property, this can create an important question: can you get a mortgage during pupillage?...

Taking Silk: When a Drop in Income Reflects Career Progression, Not a Weaker Practice

Taking silk is one of the most significant milestones in a barrister’s career. Yet the period surrounding that progression can create an unusual position from a mortgage perspective. Professionally, the barrister may be advancing towards one of the most senior stages of practice. Financially,...

Moving from the Self-Employed to the Employed Bar: What Does It Mean for Your Mortgage?

For many barristers, moving from self-employed practice into an employed role marks a significant professional change. It may mean joining a law firm, financial institution, company, regulator or another organisation where their experience can be applied within a salaried environment. From a mortgage perspective, that transition...