Report shows barristers' pay tumbling

Barristers' pay has dropped by more than 15% according to a report published this week.The report - carried out by accountants BDO Stoy Hayward - found that the estimated median salary for a senior junior barrister of more than 10 years' call is 71,800, down from the figure of 84,000 last year.

This is largely the result of claims of increased overheads, the report said.

It found that net total income at the Bar this year is likely to be 1.3 billion to 1.5 billion - a rise of 7-8% on last year.

But it found that receipts for criminal and family work were down by 6.3% and 24%, respectively, balanced by increases in the commercial and chancery sectors.The threat to the profession most selected by barristers was 'solicitors carrying out work in-house'.

However, the fourth most frequently chosen opportunity for the profession was the demise of weaker chambers.

Jeremy Fleming