Bar pupils report financial hardship and poor work-life balance
updated on 08 April 2021
Nearly 25% of pupils are reportedly experiencing financial hardships and around 30% expressed a desire to leave the Bar due to work-life balance.
A survey of 221 pupils by the Bar Council looked at the effect that covid-19 has had on pupils and their experiences at the Bar. It found that although 83% of pupils felt supported by their chambers over the past year, with half of respondents saying they spoke to their pupil supervisor at least once a day, 51% cited a lack of contact with their pupil supervisors.
Pupil barristers also reported additional challenges, with 81% citing a lack of networking opportunities and 55% citing an interruption to court work.
Meanwhile, of the pupils expressing an interest in pursuing alternative careers, 28% cited work-life balance as the reason for doing so, while 26% said that pay was insufficient.
Speaking about the findings, chair of the Bar Council Derek Sweeting QC said: “The good news that emerges from the survey findings is the high percentage of pupils who are very satisfied with their pupillage experience and feel supported by their sets. That is a testament to the dedication of chambers and pupil supervisors, who have worked hard under difficult conditions to ensure pupils have been given the training and support they needed throughout the pandemic.
“But pupils are clearly struggling with the lack of networking opportunities, interruption to court work and their general wellbeing. In a year where pupillages have decreased by 35%, it remains a challenge to support pupils in a way which addresses these issues and allows them to complete pupillage feeling confident about a future at the Bar.”
