Excessive, last-minute workloads and lack of a work-life balance have contributed to 88% of pupil barristers rating their stress levels as ‘moderate or high’ - an increase from 82% last year, according to the latest Bar Council survey.
The survey, answered by 170 pupils – around 30% of the total – found 32% of those asked said they would ‘definitely’ recommend becoming a barrister, a fall from 42% last year. Some 45% said they ‘possibly’ would recommend a career at the bar, down from 52%.
This year’s pupil survey revealed 62% of pupils said a future career at the bar was viable, but only 45% of disabled pupils felt the same. Disabled pupils - 20% of respondents disclosed a disability - were also ‘most likely to be unsatisfied with their supervision and pupillage’.
Though 90% of respondents report a positive experience of pupillage, with eight in 10 pupils feeling well supported, poor scheduling, inflexible working conditions and unclear sick leave policies affected their wellbeing, the survey said.
Median working hours were 41-50 hours per week for 38% of pupils, while the median anticipated debt level remained at between £50,000-£59,999. The median pupillage award was £30,000-£39,999, with men (25%) twice as likely as women (13%) to receive pupillage awards of £60,000 or more.
Reports of bullying, harassment and discrimination are slightly lower among pupils than across the bar, with 17% of those asked saying they had ‘personally experienced’ one of these behaviours.
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The figure rises to 28% when including observation of bullying, harassment, and discrimination (26% in 2024). A Bar Council-commissioned review by Harriet Harman of bullying and harassment at th bar is expected to be published later this year.
The Bar Council set out four recommendations. They include reminding chambers to respond and provide feedback to those making pupillage applications, and to improve the BSB ethics exam.
Other recommendations include encouraging education and training organisations to adopt better practice in relation to pupil wellbeing.
The bar has produced on-demand pupil supervisor training to complement training provided by the Inns and on the circuits. The Bar Council is also working on ‘enhanced guidance for neurodiverse applicants, pupils and barristers, including in making reasonable adjustments’.
Bar chair Barbara Mills KC said: ‘Some of the findings demonstrate areas where we need to do more work alongside chambers, employers, Inns and specialist bar associations to ensure all pupils have the support they need. The Bar Council will continue to work hard to ensure that every barrister can reach their full potential, can cope with the challenges and stresses of life so that they can work productively and fruitfully, and are able to make a full and proper contribution to their community.’
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