Starting Your Second Six: What It Means for Getting a Mortgage

There’s something unique about reaching your second six. After months of shadowing and absorbing, you’re finally on your feet, taking on your cases, and earning your fees. 

It’s the start of something, not just professionally, but financially too. And naturally, with that new income and growing independence, one question starts to surface: Can I get a mortgage now?

The short answer? Yes, but it depends on how you go about it.

The Shift from Pupil to Practising Barrister

Can Pupil Barristers Get a Mortgage During Second Six?

While many high street lenders require two to three years of accounts or tax returns before offering a mortgage to self-employed professionals, not all lenders operate like this.

Specialist lenders, particularly those familiar with the legal profession, recognise that earning during second six marks a meaningful shift. With the right support, your case can be presented in a way that reflects your potential, not just your paperwork.

At Henry Dannell, we’ve helped many pupil barristers take this first financial step, sometimes even before tenancy is confirmed.

From Observation to Income: Why the Second Six Matters to Lenders

Your second six is more than a change in status. It marks the official start of your income-generating practice. You’re still under supervision, yes, but you’re:

• Managing your own caseload
  
• Generating self-employed income
  
• Establishing your presence in court
  
• Building professional momentum
  

This is the stage where some progressive lenders are prepared to listen, particularly when guided by an adviser who knows how to interpret your income structure.

What Do Specialist Mortgage Lenders Look For?

Lenders who specialise in working with barristers understand the path you’re on. They assess more than just your current earnings, they consider your trajectory. They’ll look at:

• Your pupillage award and current fee income
• Whether you have a confirmed or likely tenancy
• Forecasted income from chambers
• A letter of reference or supporting documents from your clerks
• Your professional achievements to date

They recognise that if you’ve reached second six, you’ve already succeeded in one of the UK’s most competitive professions.

Why It’s Worth Considering a Mortgage Now

Even if your current income feels modest, there are several reasons barristers in second six choose to buy:

• Property prices continue to rise, buying sooner could reduce long-term costs
• You may have family support with a deposit, or savings from scholarships or pupillage
• Establishing a mortgage now could help lock in favourable interest rates
• Planning ahead gives you certainty and structure as you transition into tenancy

Even if you’re not ready to buy immediately, knowing what you could borrow now can help you make informed decisions in the months ahead.

How Henry Dannell Supports Pupil Barristers

Here’s how we help:

• Identify lenders who understand the Bar and your career structure
• Build a tailored case that reflects your trajectory, not just your tax history
• Work with you to present your income, chambers documentation, and future earnings in a way that underwriters understand
• Offer guidance on everything from joint ownership to gifted deposits and offset mortgages

We also maintain direct relationships with underwriting teams, so when your application lands, it’s in front of someone who already understands your profession.

Second Six Is a Turning Point, Professionally and Financially

Starting your second six is a defining moment in your career. You’re earning. You’re gaining independence. And for many, it’s the first step towards building something permanent: a home, a foundation, a future.

If you’re in the second six and wondering what your mortgage options are, or even just looking to plan, we’d be happy to talk.

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Please note: A mortgage is secured against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage or any other debt secured on it. Mortgage deals may not be available, and lending is subject to individual circumstances and status.