 On 8 April 1808, he was admitted to the Inner Temple as a student, and, in the beginning of 1810, became a pupil of John Bell, and was called to the Bar on 22 November 1811.Bickersteth became a King's Counsel in 1827, and 1836 brought him membership of the Privy Council, appointment as Master of the Rolls and a peerage, which he accepted on condition that he could concentrate on law reform and remain politically independent.He was created Baron Langdale, of Langdale in the County of Westmoreland on 23 January 1836.