*/
Almost two thirds of the criminal Bar work for nothing at least one day a week and more than a third of all barristers do unpaid work to help their clients, a survey revealed.
The Bar Council’s report Barristers’ Working Lives 2017: Barristers’ attitudes towards their working lives, revealed the impact that the struggling justice system is having on the profession.
It showed that 62% of criminal barristers routinely work at least one or two days per week unpaid. In other areas of private practice, more than a third do additional unpaid work where their client cannot afford more.
Barristers are working more hours and suffering greater stress than in 2013, when the survey was last conducted. Of the 4,092 responses (over a quarter of the profession), 27% of criminal barristers and 33% of family barristers said they work more than 60 hours a week, compared to 16% in commercial and Chancery, 17% in civil and an average of 22% across all practice areas.
45% felt able to balance their home and working lives, while only 26% said they were not under too much work pressure.
The survey also showed that over a third of criminal barristers are considering leaving the Bar, compared with 24% of the rest of the profession.
More positively, 89% found their work interesting and 61% agreed that they were enthusiastic about work on most days.
Bar Chair, Andrew Walker QC said it was a ‘worrying trend’ that so many barristers have seen their stress levels increase and their work-life balance deteriorate.
Almost two thirds of the criminal Bar work for nothing at least one day a week and more than a third of all barristers do unpaid work to help their clients, a survey revealed.
The Bar Council’s report Barristers’ Working Lives 2017: Barristers’ attitudes towards their working lives, revealed the impact that the struggling justice system is having on the profession.
It showed that 62% of criminal barristers routinely work at least one or two days per week unpaid. In other areas of private practice, more than a third do additional unpaid work where their client cannot afford more.
Barristers are working more hours and suffering greater stress than in 2013, when the survey was last conducted. Of the 4,092 responses (over a quarter of the profession), 27% of criminal barristers and 33% of family barristers said they work more than 60 hours a week, compared to 16% in commercial and Chancery, 17% in civil and an average of 22% across all practice areas.
45% felt able to balance their home and working lives, while only 26% said they were not under too much work pressure.
The survey also showed that over a third of criminal barristers are considering leaving the Bar, compared with 24% of the rest of the profession.
More positively, 89% found their work interesting and 61% agreed that they were enthusiastic about work on most days.
Bar Chair, Andrew Walker QC said it was a ‘worrying trend’ that so many barristers have seen their stress levels increase and their work-life balance deteriorate.
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
A comparison – Dan Monaghan, Head of DWF Chambers, invites two viewpoints
And if not, why not? asks Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Head of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, discusses the many benefits of oral fluid drug testing for child welfare and protection matters
To mark International Women’s Day, Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management looks at how financial planning can help bridge the gap
Casey Randall of AlphaBiolabs answers some of the most common questions regarding relationship DNA testing for court
Maria Scotland and Niamh Wilkie report from the Bar Council’s 2024 visit to the United Arab Emirates exploring practice development opportunities for the England and Wales family Bar
Marking Neurodiversity Week 2025, an anonymous barrister shares the revelations and emotions from a mid-career diagnosis with a view to encouraging others to find out more
David Wurtzel analyses the outcome of the 2024 silk competition and how it compares with previous years, revealing some striking trends and home truths for the profession
Save for some high-flyers and those who can become commercial arbitrators, it is generally a question of all or nothing but that does not mean moving from hero to zero, says Andrew Hillier
