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Male barristers still outnumber women by two to one, according to figures released by the Bar Standards Board.
The regulator’s annual Diversity at the Bar report showed that the profession is 63% male and 37% female and still has some way to go before it is fully representative of the public it serves.
Overall the percentage of women increased by 0.5%. While male QCs outnumber their female counterparts, the percentage of female Silks has risen from 13.7% in 2016 to 14.8% in 2017.
The percentage of barristers from an ethnic minority background rose to 12.7%, up by 0.5%, and the percentage in Silk rose by 0.8% to 7.2%.
The gender and ethnic diversity of pupil barristers is roughly in line with the population of England and Wales, with 51.7% of pupils being female and 16.1% being from an ethnic minority background.
The data showed that 12% of barristers went to private school, compared to 7% of the general population. But only 37% of barristers responded to that question, so the true number of those privately educated is likely to be higher.
BSB Director of Strategy and Policy, Ewen MacLeod, said the data showed ‘a steady improvement in gender and ethnic diversity at the Bar, especially in the increase in the number of female QCs’.
But he added: ‘We are conscious that there is more that needs to be done to improve diversity within the profession.’ He urged all barristers to complete the diversity data questions when renewing their practising certificates so that the regulator can act on accurate evidence to improve diversity.
Male barristers still outnumber women by two to one, according to figures released by the Bar Standards Board.
The regulator’s annual Diversity at the Bar report showed that the profession is 63% male and 37% female and still has some way to go before it is fully representative of the public it serves.
Overall the percentage of women increased by 0.5%. While male QCs outnumber their female counterparts, the percentage of female Silks has risen from 13.7% in 2016 to 14.8% in 2017.
The percentage of barristers from an ethnic minority background rose to 12.7%, up by 0.5%, and the percentage in Silk rose by 0.8% to 7.2%.
The gender and ethnic diversity of pupil barristers is roughly in line with the population of England and Wales, with 51.7% of pupils being female and 16.1% being from an ethnic minority background.
The data showed that 12% of barristers went to private school, compared to 7% of the general population. But only 37% of barristers responded to that question, so the true number of those privately educated is likely to be higher.
BSB Director of Strategy and Policy, Ewen MacLeod, said the data showed ‘a steady improvement in gender and ethnic diversity at the Bar, especially in the increase in the number of female QCs’.
But he added: ‘We are conscious that there is more that needs to be done to improve diversity within the profession.’ He urged all barristers to complete the diversity data questions when renewing their practising certificates so that the regulator can act on accurate evidence to improve diversity.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
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
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
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
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
