New data on wellbeing at the Bar
updated on 01 March 2024
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Wellbeing at the Bar has improved, according to new data published by the Bar Council.
The Bar Council represents just under 18,000 barristers practising in England and Wales.
The 2024 report, which pulled data from 2023, found that:
- barristers reported higher levels of work satisfaction and wellbeing in 2023 compared to 2021;
- respondents who felt that they had supportive colleagues and/or work environment increased from 67% to 73%;
- 60% of barristers reported generally having a good mood, while 34.9% indicated they feel low;
- women, barristers from minority ethnic backgrounds, and younger or more junior barristers had lower overall wellbeing; and
- barristers working in commercial law reported the highest wellbeing averages, while those working in family and criminal law reported the lowest.
Speaking on the report, chair of the Bar Council, Sam Townend KC, said: “The latest data reflects an improvement in some aspects of wellbeing at the Bar. This deserves recognition.”
However, Townend also noted that there are areas that will need a continuous focus: “Concerningly, younger, more junior barristers, women and barristers from an ethnic minority background reported lower levels of overall wellbeing as did barristers working in criminal and family law. These are the areas we will continue to focus on in terms of personal wellbeing and working conditions.”
