Our research and analysis is organised by key theme in the menu below.
To find an exhaustive list of all of our research and analysis, organised by publication date, please click here.
Regulatory Action Diversity Analysis Report (2025)
In March 2025 we published research analysing the outcomes of reports regarding barrister conduct received and processed1 by us. By reports, we mean concerns about the conduct of a barrister that are reported to us. This research details how likely barristers are to be subject to a report, with a particular focus on the characteristics of ethnicity and gender.
Report on Diversity at the Bar (Annual, 2024)
Published in January 2025. Annual report based on the latest available diversity data for the Bar. The BSB has a statutory responsibility to monitor and promote equality and diversity both as an employer and as the regulator of barristers in England and Wales. Historic versions of the report, dating to 2015, are available online.
Equality and Diversity Monitoring for Reports to the BSB (Annual, 2024)
Published in January 2025. Annual analysis of the characteristics of those barrister subject to reports, and those who reported to the BSB. Historic versions of the report, dating to 2014, are available online.
Pupillage recruitment research (2024)
Two reports (and two research summaries) on pupillage recruitment at the Bar. The objective of this research was to strengthen our evidence base around pupillage recruitment to inform the development of the BSB’s policies, including our forthcoming consultation on the Equality Rules.
Income at the Bar by Gender and Ethnicity (2022)
In February 2022 we published a report Income at the Bar by gender and ethnicity.
Differential outcomes on the Bar Professional Training Course - 2014-2020 (2022)
In July 2022 we published a report into Differential outcomes on the Bar Professional Training Course between 2014-2020. We have also published a research summary and a document entitled Differential Outcomes Research – Ongoing and proposed work addressing the issues found. There is also a spreadsheet containing summaries of the regression models developed for the research.
Vocational Training Providers – Equality and Diversity Policies and Practices (2022)
In August 2022 we published a Report looking at Bar training providers’ approaches to equality and diversity. We also worked with YouGov to publish a Report on students’ experiences on Bar training courses. See also the Research Summary and the Technical Report.
Trends in Retention and Demographics at the Bar: 1990–2020 (2021)
In July 2021, we published new research showing trends in retention and demographics at the Bar between 1990 and 2020. The report shows that, overall, retention at the Bar appears to have improved substantially on several measures, and the proportion of the Bar leaving practice and/or having time away from practice has not increased over the time period analysed. Although retention does appear to have improved, the research reveals a consistent trend of female barristers leaving practice indefinitely after the early stages of their career in greater proportions than male barristers.
Bullying, Discrimination, and Harassment at the Bar (2020)
Published in October 2020, this qualitative study undertaken by YouGov explored experiences of bullying, discrimination and harassment at the Bar, and what can be done to address these issues.
Women at the Bar: Research exploring solutions to promote gender equality (2018)
Published in May 2018. A report exploring solutions to promote gender equality. The BSB announced how it intends to work with the profession to make further progress in eliminating the discrimination, harassment and other unfair treatment of female barristers.
In December 2017 the BSB published two new pieces of research that are intended to provide a qualitative and quantitative evidence base to inform the current decision-making about the future training of barristers. The two reports, which are published with a covering statement from the BSB, offer important insights into current issues in the education and training system for qualification as a barrister.
A July 2016 report on women's experiences at the Bar. The women, at the time of being surveyed, held a current practising certificate. The BSB asked them about how the equality rules were working, since being implemented in 2012.
Complaints at the Bar: An analysis of ethnicity and gender (2016)
Published in January 2016 - A statistical report which analyses three years of data to investigate factors contributing to differences across gender and ethnicity in the numbers of complaints made, and the outcomes of complaints. The BSB has been monitoring these issues since 2007 but the report analyses the data in greater depth than previously.
Bar Training Reporting
We publish two reports on Bar Training, one concerning statistics by course provider, and one that focuses on enrolment, results and student progression overall. For historic bar training report, dating to 2015, please visit our archive.
Evaluation of the BSB's Bar Training Reforms (2023)
This report is based on surveys and interviews, and looks at how the Future Bar Training (FBT) reforms are being implemented. It gives an overview of training pathways and how they have been received, and also outlines how vocational training providers have changed their approach to delivering Bar training, including by adopting more online delivery, greater flexibility for students, and some providers offering a ‘two-step’ vocational training component.
Differential outcomes on the Bar Professional Training Course - 2014-2020 (2022)
In July 2022 we published a report into Differential outcomes on the Bar Professional Training Course between 2014-2020. We have also published a research summary and a document entitled Differential Outcomes Research – Ongoing and proposed work addressing the issues found. There is also a spreadsheet containing summaries of the regression models developed for the research.
Vocational Training Providers – Equality and Diversity Policies and Practices (2022)
In August 2022 we published a Report looking at Bar training providers’ approaches to equality and diversity. We also worked with YouGov to publish a Report on students’ experiences on Bar training courses. See also the Research Summary and the Technical Report.
Evaluation of the performance of the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) over time (2021)
The BCAT was introduced in 2012-13 as a mandatory test which must be passed prior to enrolment on the vocational stage of training for qualification as a barrister in England and Wales. The intended function of the BCAT is to act as a valid and reliable filter to enrolment on vocational training for qualification as a barrister. This is a report which we published in September 2021 detailing research into how well the BCAT is performing at its intended function following on from changes to the pass mark implemented in 2016.
In December 2017 the BSB published two new pieces of research that are intended to provide a qualitative and quantitative evidence base to inform the current decision-making about the future training of barristers. The two reports, which are published with a covering statement from the BSB, offer important insights into current issues in the education and training system for qualification as a barrister.
Coroner’s Court Competences and Toolkit - Evaluation report (2024)
Judicial Perceptions of the Quality of Criminal Advocacy (2018)
Youth Proceedings Advocacy Review (2015)
Pupillage Recruitment Research (2024)
Pupillage Recruitment – Quantitative Analysis (2024)
Review of Pupillage and Selection Criteria (2019)
Barriers to Training for the Bar - A Qualitative Study (2017)
Exploring Differential Attainment at BPTC and Pupillage (2017)
The Bar – Public Awareness and Confidence (2024)
Transparency Rules Evaluation – Impact on Consumers (2022)
Consumers’ Expectations and Experience of Working with Barristers (2021)
Consumer Behaviour and Attitudes Towards Price and Service Transparency (2018)
Family Law Clients Research Report (2017)
Provision of Legal Services by Barristers (2017)
Web Sweep: Transparency of Online Price Information (2017)
Research into Client Care Letters (Nov 2016)
In April 2025 we published our Tech At the Bar Report. This research study captures how barristers and chambers adopt and use technology in their practice. The report highlights the challenges barristers face in adopting technology as well as the unique opportunities for innovation at the Bar.
Regulatory Action Diversity Analysis Report (2025)
In March 2025 we published research analysing the outcomes of reports regarding barrister conduct received and processed1 by us. By reports, we mean concerns about the conduct of a barrister that are reported to us. This research details how likely barristers are to be subject to a report, with a particular focus on the characteristics of ethnicity and gender.
Regulatory Decisions Report (Annual, 2024)
In October 2024, we published the latest of our Regulatory Decisions Report. They provide an overview of the wide range of decisions taken by us in relation to our operations, and legal and enforcement work. This include areas such as investigations and disciplinary action, the supervision of chambers, and the authorisation of education and training providers. For historic reports, please see here.
Coroner’s Court Competences and Toolkit - Evaluation report (2024)
An evaluation was carried out to determine the extent to which the competences for practitioners in the Coroners' Courts and the associated toolkit published in 2021 have met the overarching objectives of the initial project. Evaluation work looked at awareness of these resources at the Bar and among key stakeholders and whether they have contributed to improving standards in the Coroners’ Courts.
Transparency Rules Evaluation – Impact on the Profession (2021)
In October 2021, we published a report on the impact of the Bar transparency rules on the profession. The Bar transparency rules are designed to improve the information available to the public before they engage the services of a barrister and to help them find the information they need to make informed decisions about barristers’ services. While most barristers’ practices have complied with the rules, the report reveals that compliance testing in 2020 and 2021 shows that there were still a significant minority who were not fully compliant with the rules.
Statistical analysis of the outcomes of complaints about barristers (2021)
In July 2021, we published a statistical analysis of the outcomes of complaints made about barristers in England and Wales, and the likelihood of barristers being subject to a complaint, between January 2015 and October 2019.
Assessment of the current regulations of the provision of PII to barristers (2016)
Published in April 2016. The BSB commissioned Oxera to undertake an economic analysis of the current regulatory arrangements for the provision of professional indemnity insurance (PII) to barristers, in the context of the thematic review by the Legal Services Board (LSB) on the provision of PII to legal services providers. This analysis informed the BSB's consideration of regulations concerning the obligation to take primary PII cover from the Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund (BMIF).
Research into the Public Access Scheme (2016)
Published in April 2016. Findings from a survey of public access barristers commissioned jointly by the BSB and the Legal Services Board (LSB) provide a detailed picture of the current provision of legal services through the public access scheme, perceptions about the operation of the current regulatory arrangements and of the impacts of recent reforms.
Complaints at the Bar: An analysis of ethnicity and gender (2016)
Published in January 2016 - A statistical report which analyses three years of data to investigate factors contributing to differences across gender and ethnicity in the numbers of complaints made, and the outcomes of complaints. The BSB has been monitoring these issues since 2007 but the report analyses the data in greater depth than previously.
Anti-Money Laundering and Counter Terrorist Financing (Annual, 2023-2024)
Historic (22-23, 21-22, 20-21)
Thematic Review – Financial Sanctions Compliance at the Bar (2023)
