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The Bar Council reports back on its third pupil survey and signposts support and guidance for this key group of the profession
The Bar Council, the body which represents and supports nearly 18,000 barristers in England and Wales, asked pupil barristers about their experience of pupillage to help us better understand the pupillage experience and identify the areas where support and solutions are needed.
The 2024 Pupil Survey was the third undertaken by the Bar Council. The first, conducted in 2021, assessed the pandemic’s impact on pupils’ working lives. The second, carried out in 2022, examined pupils’ working lives more broadly.
The Pupil Survey 2024 explored any changes in the last two years to the experiences of this key group of the profession. The findings, some of which are detailed below, are based on responses from 173 pupils and can help you know what to expect from pupillage.
Pupils surveyed were highly satisfied with the supervision they received both in-person and online. When asked how they felt about their in-person supervision, two-thirds of pupils (67%) were ‘very happy’, 21% were ‘broadly happy’, and 6% were ‘unhappy’.
The Bar Council’s Young Barristers’ Committee, the voice of all barristers who are under seven years’ practice, put together Starting at the Bar: your essential guide to provide answers to the questions you may have when starting at the Bar, and to signpost the vast support resources available.
The overwhelming majority of pupils surveyed said their experience was positive with more than eight in ten pupils (86%) saying they have had a positive pupillage experience.
There was some variation across practice area and educational background such as pupils working in crime being more likely to be ‘very positive’ about their experience.
The Bar Council works alongside many organisations to support the Bar. These include the specialist Bar associations (SBAs) which are dedicated to the interests of groups of barristers within specific practice areas. Working alongside the Bar Council, the 24 SBAs help promote their members’ particular interests.
Circuits, the six geographical regions of England and Wales for the practice of law, provide important sources of support, advice and representation for barristers practising in those areas.
Eight in ten pupils said they felt ‘well supported’ by their chambers/employer. While 47% said they felt ‘very’ well supported and 37% felt ‘quite’ well supported.
The Wellbeing at the Bar online hub is full of support services and resources for barristers. It includes the Assistance Programme, a confidential 24/7 service, which is there to support self-employed barristers and pupils through challenges encountered.
The Pupil Helpline – email: PupilHelpline@BarCouncil.org.uk – gives confidential advice and support to members of the Bar who are currently undertaking their pupillage. If required, the helpline will put you in touch with an experienced and independent barrister who can help with problems encountered during pupillage.
The Bar Council website has further practical, personal and career support available.
Incidents of bullying, harassment and discrimination are lower among pupils than across the Bar in general. One in five (18%) pupils surveyed indicated that they have personally experienced bullying, harassment and/or discrimination, either in person or online.
In response to research on the extent of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar, the Bar Council has commissioned an independent review of bullying and harassment chaired by the Rt Hon Harriet Harman KC. The review is gathering evidence until 27 September 2024 to consider the impact of bullying and harassment and the efficacy of current reporting mechanisms.
Talk to Spot is an online tool for the Bar to confidentially and anonymously record bullying, harassment or discrimination concerns.
Most pupils surveyed (94%) said they would ‘definitely’ or ‘possibly’ recommend a career at the Bar to others. Most (65%) also felt a career at the Bar was viable moving forward. Women and those working in crime were less likely to say this. Those who had a disability were also less positive with more than 50% saying it was impossible.
Work-life balance was the main reason (26%) given as to why a career at the Bar was potentially not viable. Women (32%) were twice as likely as men (16%) to mention work-life balance. Pupils with a disability were also more likely to mention this (50% compared to 19% with no disability).
The Young Barristers’ Committee has put together tips for barristers working remotely some of which can help barristers find a work-life balance such as by keeping records of your working hours and setting boundaries where possible.
Women in the Law UK is an organisation providing members with an array of resources and events designed to encourage, inspire and support the next generation of lawyers.
Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar is run by and for disabled aspiring barristers. They are working to dismantle barriers affecting disabled aspiring barristers and improve accessibility at the Bar through research, education, mentorships and more.
There is more work to do and it’s important that the Bar Council takes action on the findings of the Pupil Survey. For example, the Disability Panel is currently looking at this year’s findings to consider what more can be done to encourage and support disabled pupils. The Bar Council will be undertaking the next Pupil Survey early in 2025 and analysing the responses to make sure that every pupil has the support they need to thrive in their careers.
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The Bar Council, the body which represents and supports nearly 18,000 barristers in England and Wales, asked pupil barristers about their experience of pupillage to help us better understand the pupillage experience and identify the areas where support and solutions are needed.
The 2024 Pupil Survey was the third undertaken by the Bar Council. The first, conducted in 2021, assessed the pandemic’s impact on pupils’ working lives. The second, carried out in 2022, examined pupils’ working lives more broadly.
The Pupil Survey 2024 explored any changes in the last two years to the experiences of this key group of the profession. The findings, some of which are detailed below, are based on responses from 173 pupils and can help you know what to expect from pupillage.
Pupils surveyed were highly satisfied with the supervision they received both in-person and online. When asked how they felt about their in-person supervision, two-thirds of pupils (67%) were ‘very happy’, 21% were ‘broadly happy’, and 6% were ‘unhappy’.
The Bar Council’s Young Barristers’ Committee, the voice of all barristers who are under seven years’ practice, put together Starting at the Bar: your essential guide to provide answers to the questions you may have when starting at the Bar, and to signpost the vast support resources available.
The overwhelming majority of pupils surveyed said their experience was positive with more than eight in ten pupils (86%) saying they have had a positive pupillage experience.
There was some variation across practice area and educational background such as pupils working in crime being more likely to be ‘very positive’ about their experience.
The Bar Council works alongside many organisations to support the Bar. These include the specialist Bar associations (SBAs) which are dedicated to the interests of groups of barristers within specific practice areas. Working alongside the Bar Council, the 24 SBAs help promote their members’ particular interests.
Circuits, the six geographical regions of England and Wales for the practice of law, provide important sources of support, advice and representation for barristers practising in those areas.
Eight in ten pupils said they felt ‘well supported’ by their chambers/employer. While 47% said they felt ‘very’ well supported and 37% felt ‘quite’ well supported.
The Wellbeing at the Bar online hub is full of support services and resources for barristers. It includes the Assistance Programme, a confidential 24/7 service, which is there to support self-employed barristers and pupils through challenges encountered.
The Pupil Helpline – email: PupilHelpline@BarCouncil.org.uk – gives confidential advice and support to members of the Bar who are currently undertaking their pupillage. If required, the helpline will put you in touch with an experienced and independent barrister who can help with problems encountered during pupillage.
The Bar Council website has further practical, personal and career support available.
Incidents of bullying, harassment and discrimination are lower among pupils than across the Bar in general. One in five (18%) pupils surveyed indicated that they have personally experienced bullying, harassment and/or discrimination, either in person or online.
In response to research on the extent of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar, the Bar Council has commissioned an independent review of bullying and harassment chaired by the Rt Hon Harriet Harman KC. The review is gathering evidence until 27 September 2024 to consider the impact of bullying and harassment and the efficacy of current reporting mechanisms.
Talk to Spot is an online tool for the Bar to confidentially and anonymously record bullying, harassment or discrimination concerns.
Most pupils surveyed (94%) said they would ‘definitely’ or ‘possibly’ recommend a career at the Bar to others. Most (65%) also felt a career at the Bar was viable moving forward. Women and those working in crime were less likely to say this. Those who had a disability were also less positive with more than 50% saying it was impossible.
Work-life balance was the main reason (26%) given as to why a career at the Bar was potentially not viable. Women (32%) were twice as likely as men (16%) to mention work-life balance. Pupils with a disability were also more likely to mention this (50% compared to 19% with no disability).
The Young Barristers’ Committee has put together tips for barristers working remotely some of which can help barristers find a work-life balance such as by keeping records of your working hours and setting boundaries where possible.
Women in the Law UK is an organisation providing members with an array of resources and events designed to encourage, inspire and support the next generation of lawyers.
Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar is run by and for disabled aspiring barristers. They are working to dismantle barriers affecting disabled aspiring barristers and improve accessibility at the Bar through research, education, mentorships and more.
There is more work to do and it’s important that the Bar Council takes action on the findings of the Pupil Survey. For example, the Disability Panel is currently looking at this year’s findings to consider what more can be done to encourage and support disabled pupils. The Bar Council will be undertaking the next Pupil Survey early in 2025 and analysing the responses to make sure that every pupil has the support they need to thrive in their careers.
The Bar Council reports back on its third pupil survey and signposts support and guidance for this key group of the profession
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