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Almost two thirds of the criminal Bar work for nothing at least one day a week and more than a third of all barristers do unpaid work to help their clients, a survey revealed.
The Bar Council’s report Barristers’ Working Lives 2017: Barristers’ attitudes towards their working lives, revealed the impact that the struggling justice system is having on the profession.
It showed that 62% of criminal barristers routinely work at least one or two days per week unpaid. In other areas of private practice, more than a third do additional unpaid work where their client cannot afford more.
Barristers are working more hours and suffering greater stress than in 2013, when the survey was last conducted. Of the 4,092 responses (over a quarter of the profession), 27% of criminal barristers and 33% of family barristers said they work more than 60 hours a week, compared to 16% in commercial and Chancery, 17% in civil and an average of 22% across all practice areas.
45% felt able to balance their home and working lives, while only 26% said they were not under too much work pressure.
The survey also showed that over a third of criminal barristers are considering leaving the Bar, compared with 24% of the rest of the profession.
More positively, 89% found their work interesting and 61% agreed that they were enthusiastic about work on most days.
Bar Chair, Andrew Walker QC said it was a ‘worrying trend’ that so many barristers have seen their stress levels increase and their work-life balance deteriorate.
Almost two thirds of the criminal Bar work for nothing at least one day a week and more than a third of all barristers do unpaid work to help their clients, a survey revealed.
The Bar Council’s report Barristers’ Working Lives 2017: Barristers’ attitudes towards their working lives, revealed the impact that the struggling justice system is having on the profession.
It showed that 62% of criminal barristers routinely work at least one or two days per week unpaid. In other areas of private practice, more than a third do additional unpaid work where their client cannot afford more.
Barristers are working more hours and suffering greater stress than in 2013, when the survey was last conducted. Of the 4,092 responses (over a quarter of the profession), 27% of criminal barristers and 33% of family barristers said they work more than 60 hours a week, compared to 16% in commercial and Chancery, 17% in civil and an average of 22% across all practice areas.
45% felt able to balance their home and working lives, while only 26% said they were not under too much work pressure.
The survey also showed that over a third of criminal barristers are considering leaving the Bar, compared with 24% of the rest of the profession.
More positively, 89% found their work interesting and 61% agreed that they were enthusiastic about work on most days.
Bar Chair, Andrew Walker QC said it was a ‘worrying trend’ that so many barristers have seen their stress levels increase and their work-life balance deteriorate.
Update from the Chair of the Bar
By David Green
Mário Barroso, Head of R&D and Method Development at AlphaBiolabs, examines the forensic science underpinning hair drug testing, its evidential scope and limitations, and why it remains the gold standard for evidencing patterns of drug use in family proceedings
Unlocking your aged debt to fund your tax in one easy step. By Philip N Bristow
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, discusses the upcoming changes to pensions and Inheritance Tax and the potential impact on your financial future
Save the Children UK is the latest charity to benefit from a £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
The Chief Legal Officer to the Metropolitan Police, barrister Brett Welch, tells Anthony Inglese CB about his mission and the work to turn the Met around
Barrister apprenticeships – shortly to provide the fourth pathway to the Bar – are an ideal opportunity to support local talent and ‘grow your own’, say Tim Coulson and Dr Jane Dennehy
Born from a grievance, their research project grew into a book and is now challenging the status quo. Emma Price and Emma-Louise Fenelon reveal the key findings – and the critical next steps
Grok around and find out – or not? Mariya Peykova investigates the nudification scandal, what the law has to say about sexually explicit deepfakes, and whether stronger regulation is needed
Oliver Lewis spotlights an overlooked yet rapidly evolving area of law – coercive and controlling behaviour within care contexts
