Barristers and judges SOC 2411
Barristers and judges (SOC 2411, also written as job code 2411) qualifies for UK Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer must pay at least the going rate of £59,400 per year. Scroll down for salary benchmarks, the visa rules, and live jobs from licensed sponsors.
Not sure if SOC 2411 applies to your situation?
The answer above is the general rule. Your case can be different if you already hold a visa and are extending or switching, if you were sponsored before a rule change, or depending on your salary. Our AI assistant can explain the full rules from gov.uk guidance.
Ask AI about SOC 2411What does a barristers and judge do?
Barristers and judges prepare and conduct court cases on behalf of clients, preside over judicial proceedings, and pronounce judgements within a variety of court settings and tribunals.
Typical tasks
- becomes acquainted with the facts of a case through reading statements, law reports, and consulting with clients or other professionals
- advises client on the basis of legal knowledge, research and past precedent as to whether to proceed with legal action
- drafts pleadings and questions in preparation for court cases, appears in court to present evidence to the judge and jury, cross examines witnesses and sums up why the court should decide in their client’s favour
- hears, reads and evaluates evidence, and instructs or advises the jury on points of law or procedure
- conducts trials according to rules of procedure, announces the verdict and passes sentence and/or awards costs and damages
Typical entry routes and qualifications
Entry to training requires a qualifying law degree or postgraduate diploma. Entrants then undertake a one year Bar Professional Training Course followed by pupillage in one of the Inns of Court. The system for training of advocates in Scotland requires a postgraduate Diploma in Professional Legal Practice, followed by two years’ training as a solicitor and period of professional training lasting several months. The position of judge is obtained by appointment of those who have substantial post-qualifying experience in legal practice.
Visa sponsorship requirements
UK market salary · ASHE 2025
What barristers and judges earn in the UK
UK market basic pay at a glance
How visa salary requirements compare to what employers pay.
Most barristers and judges in the UK earn between £35,932 and £64,428 in basic pay. For Skilled Worker visa holders, the minimum salary (going rate) for this role is £59,400 (SOC 2411), sitting at the 63rd percentile of what UK employers pay and £5,528 above the median.
All figures are before tax. Calculate your take-home pay.
Comparing with an offer back home? Try the UK vs home country calculator.
How to get sponsored as a barristers and judge
- 1
Find a licensed sponsor on Hunt UK Visa Sponsors
Browse our register of UK companies with an active sponsor licence. Filter by industry, size, sponsor rating, and whether they're currently hiring barristers and judges, so you only apply where a visa is actually on the table.
Browse licensed sponsors - 2
Confirm the salary meets the £59,400 going rate
Your employer must pay whichever is higher: the going rate for SOC 2411 (£59,400) or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
New entrants and ISL roles may qualify for a lower rate. See the New entrant & discount rates section below.
- 3
Receive a Certificate of Sponsorship
Your sponsor issues a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS), a reference number the Home Office uses to check the job offer, salary, and duties line up with an eligible SOC code.
- 4
Apply for a Skilled Worker visa at gov.uk
Submit the Skilled Worker visa application online within 3 months of your CoS assignment date. You'll also book a biometric appointment and pay the immigration health surcharge.
Apply on gov.uk - 5
Move to the UK and start work
Travel to the UK before your CoS start date and begin working for the sponsor named on the certificate.
New entrant & discount rates
If you're under 26, switching from a Student visa, or a recent UK graduate, your employer can pay the new entrant rate of £41,600 per year for up to 4 years.
Continuously sponsored as a Skilled Worker since before 4 April 2024? Lower thresholds apply: £37,000 standard, or £25,900 as a new entrant.
Roles under SOC 2411
Recent jobs under SOC 2411
Related occupations
Other Skilled Worker-eligible roles in the same SOC minor group (241xx):
Frequently asked questions
Can barristers and judges get a UK Skilled Worker visa?
Yes. Barristers and judges roles fall under SOC 2411 (Higher Skilled), so they qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Your employer will need a sponsor licence and must pay at least the going rate for this occupation.
What is job code 2411?
Job code 2411, SOC code 2411 and occupation code 2411 all refer to the same thing: the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC 2020) unit group covering barristers and judges. The Home Office uses this 4-digit code on a Certificate of Sponsorship to check Skilled Worker visa eligibility and to set the going rate salary threshold for the role.
What salary do barristers and judges need for visa sponsorship?
The going rate for Barristers and judges (SOC 2411) is £59,400 (£30.46 per hour). Occupation rate applies. Your employer must pay whichever is higher: this going rate or the general Skilled Worker threshold of £41,700 per year.
What job titles are covered by SOC 2411?
SOC 2411 covers a range of barristers and judges roles, including: Barristers and advocates, Judges, Barristers and judges not elsewhere classified.. Keep in mind that the Home Office matches jobs by duties rather than title alone. Two roles with the same title can fall under different SOC codes depending on the actual work involved.
Is there a lower salary for new graduates entering barristers and judges roles?
Yes. If you're under 26, a recent graduate, a PhD student, or switching from a Student or Graduate visa, you count as a "new entrant". For Barristers and judges (SOC 2411) the new entrant minimum is £41,600 per year, based on the Home Office's published lower going rate and the £33,400 new entrant threshold. The discount lasts up to 4 years in total.
Where can I find barristers and judges jobs with UK visa sponsorship?
We list Barristers and judges roles from companies with a Home Office sponsor licence. Scroll down to see what's currently open, or search our full jobs database for more visa-sponsored positions across the UK.
This information is provided as guidance only and should not be treated as legal advice. Eligibility criteria and salary thresholds are based on the latest published government data. Always verify with the official UK government guidance or seek professional immigration advice.