Second Bar Barometer reveals profile of the profession
updated on 15 November 2012
The Bar Council and Bar Standards Boards have jointly published the second Bar Barometer, an annual report on statistical trends within the Bar. Covering the period from 2007 to 2011-12, the report highlights some interesting facts about diversity, background and academic attainment.
Key stats for 2011 include the following:
- There were nearly 15,600 barristers holding practising certificates, of whom around 81% are part of the self-employed Bar.
- Men make-up around 65%, women 35%, of all barristers
- Around 77% of all barristers are white, 10.2% are of black or minority ethnic (BME) origin.
- Nearly 3,100 applied for the 2010-11 BPTC, an increase of 16% on the previous year. The BPTC pass rate was 89.3%.
- The number of both first and second six pupillages registered decreased in 2010-11, by (respectively) 3.1% and 3.6%.
- The percentage of people who had not secured pupillage before they started the BPTC was 61%.
- Of the universities attended by pupils for their first degree, the largest proportion at 34.5% went to Oxbridge (20.2% to Oxford and 14.3% to Cambridge).
- The largest proportion of pupils held a 2.1, at 54.5%, with 34.9% having a First. Just 0.2% had a Third.
Chairman of the Bar Council, Michael Todd QC, said: "The publication of this valuable report supports our equality and diversity objectives, and helps to fulfil our strategic aim of encouraging access to, and diversity within, the profession. Having ready access to this data enables us to be alert to trends in composition and retention. By monitoring changes in the profession we can make better informed decisions and marshal our resources to promote the future of the Bar."
