How long should I expect to budget for after starting at the bar, but before being paid fees?
A. Even if you are fortunate, a brief that you receive on the first day you come to the bar probably cannot be billed until the end of the month. It may be longer if you start some work, but the task is delayed. When a firm of solicitors receives your fee there may be some delay before paying you. While some people may be lucky, and others will be less fortunate, a good rule of thumb is that you should budget on surviving for the first 3 to 4 months without any substantial cash flow.
