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Barristers predict the amount of public access work they do will go up, according to a survey from the regulators.
Commissioned jointly by the Bar Standards Board and the Legal Services Board (LSB), the report, Research into the public access scheme, revealed that 5,695 – more than a third of the practising profession – are registered for public access work.
Half (54%) had dealt with one to five cases in the past 12 months, while only 2% have undertaken 50 or more cases.
On average, for around 60% of the 404 respondents, public access work accounted for one to 10% of their fee income.
The researchers acknowledged that the figures were small, but said they represent a significant increase over the past three years, and suggested the volumes will rise.
Respondents suggested that consumers lacked awareness of the scheme and, while some suggested it should be more widely publicised, there was a reluctance to do so overtly or without an assurance in any marketing that the scheme was not a threat to solicitors.
LSB head of research and development Steve Brooker, said: ‘While representing a relatively small proportion of a barristers’ caseload it is, nonetheless, growing.’
He said consumers are starting to see the benefits of ‘wider choice, improved timeliness of access to services and lower costs’.
Barristers predict the amount of public access work they do will go up, according to a survey from the regulators.
Commissioned jointly by the Bar Standards Board and the Legal Services Board (LSB), the report, Research into the public access scheme, revealed that 5,695 – more than a third of the practising profession – are registered for public access work.
Half (54%) had dealt with one to five cases in the past 12 months, while only 2% have undertaken 50 or more cases.
On average, for around 60% of the 404 respondents, public access work accounted for one to 10% of their fee income.
The researchers acknowledged that the figures were small, but said they represent a significant increase over the past three years, and suggested the volumes will rise.
Respondents suggested that consumers lacked awareness of the scheme and, while some suggested it should be more widely publicised, there was a reluctance to do so overtly or without an assurance in any marketing that the scheme was not a threat to solicitors.
LSB head of research and development Steve Brooker, said: ‘While representing a relatively small proportion of a barristers’ caseload it is, nonetheless, growing.’
He said consumers are starting to see the benefits of ‘wider choice, improved timeliness of access to services and lower costs’.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
In this wide-ranging interview, Professor Jo Delahunty KC, Family Law KC of the Year, talks to Anthony Inglese CB about the values that shaped her, the moment she found her vocation and, in an intensely personal call to arms, why time is running out for the legal aid Bar
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Thomas Roe KC and Andrew O’Kola respond to an article by Dr Leonardo Raznovich (Counsel , October 2025) – ‘Privy Council colonialism? Piercing the constitutional veil’
Chair of the Bar reports back
The client’s best interests could be well-served by sharing the advocacy with junior counsel more often than you might think – Naomi Cunningham and Charlotte Eves explore some less orthodox ways to divide the speaking role
