To read our regular research publications on the key BPTC statistics and diversity at the Bar, please visit our regular research publications page.
Our research reports
The Bar - Public Awareness and Confidence - November 2024
In March 2024, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) commissioned Ipsos, a leading independent market research agency, to conduct a survey of a representative sample of British adults aged 16-75, along with a booster sample of 200 responses specifically for Wales. The aim of this survey was to improve our understanding of public awareness and confidence in the Bar and its regulation by the BSB and to seek to measure the effectiveness of our efforts to communicate and engage with the public. A total of 2047 responses to the survey were received.
Coroners' Courts Evaluation Report - June 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.
Pupillage recruitment research- May 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.
Report on Diversity at the Bar 2023
Published in January 2024. 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.
Report on Bar training statistics by course provider, 2023
In December 2023 we published a report providing information and statistics on course fees, enrolment, results, and progression by course provider for those undertaking a Bar training course in England and Wales.
Report on overall trends in Bar training over time, 2023
This report contains statistics on overall enrolment, results and trends in vocational training to become a barrister. It also contains statistics on student progression onto pupillage in England and Wales.
Report on Evaluation of the BSB's bar training reforms
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.
The evaluation work will continue over the next year, with a further report to evaluate the impact of the reforms against their key objectives of greater flexibility, improved accessibility, improved affordability, and continued high standards.
Report on Diversity at the Bar 2022
Published in January 2023. 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.
Report on Bar training statistics by course provider, 2022
In December 2022 we published a report providing information and statistics on course fees, enrolment, results, and progression by course provider for those undertaking a Bar training course in England and Wales.
Report on Bar vocational training providers’ equality and diversity policies and practices and on students’ experiences on Bar training courses
In August 2022 we published a Report looking at Bar training providers’ approaches to equality and diversity. Read the Research Summary.
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.
Report on the evaluation of our Transparency Rules
In July 2022 we published a second Report titled Transparency Rules Evaluation: Impact on Consumers (view research summary) to explore the impact on legal consumers of the transparency ruleswhich were first introduced in 2019 by looking at a number of key indicators relating to the objectives of the rules.
See also the Transparency Rules Evaluation: Impact on consumers technical appendix.
Differential outcomes on the Bar Professional Training Course - 2014-2020 report
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, which can be downloaded here
Regression Models for Differential Outcomes Research.xlsx
Report on income at the Bar by gender and ethnicity
In February 2022 we published a report Income at the Bar by gender and ethnicity.
Read the report summary.
Report on Diversity at the Bar 2021
Published in January 2022. 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.
Report on the impact of the Bar transparency rules on the profession
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.
Evaluation of the performance of the Bar Course Aptitude Test (BCAT) over time
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.
Consumers’ expectations and experience of working with barristers.
In August 2021, we published research on consumers’ expectations and experience of working with barristers. As an evidence-based regulator acting to protect and promote the interests of consumers, this researched helped us to gain an up-to-date understanding of what consumers expect from barristers and the findings informed our work in many areas.
- Summary of research findings
Trends in retention and demographics at the Bar: 1990-2020
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.
- Summary of research findings
Statistical analysis of the outcomes of complaints about barristers
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.
The research findings are found in three separate documents as follows:
- Summary of research findings
BPTC Key Statistics 2021. An analysis of students over three academic years
Published in June 2021. Updated statistical report on student performance on the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), the vocational stage of training for the Bar, shows that becoming a barrister remains very competitive. The report presents detailed analysis of the characteristics of students who progress to pupillage and aims to promote transparency in the training system and to inform our programme of work on equality and diversity.
Report on Diversity at the Bar 2020
Published in January 2021. 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.
Income at the Bar by gender and ethnicity
In November 2020 we published a new report analysing our data on barristers’ income by gender and ethnicity.
Bullying, discrimination and harassment at the Bar
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.
The research findings are found in three separate documents as follows:
BPTC Key Statistics 2020. An analysis of students over three academic years
Published in June 2020. Updated statistical report on student performance on the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), the vocational stage of training for the Bar, shows that becoming a barrister remains very competitive. The report presents detailed analysis of the characteristics of students who progress to pupillage and aims to promote transparency in the training system and to inform our programme of work on equality and diversity.
Report on Diversity at the Bar 2019
Published in January. 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.
Bar Standards Board CPD Evaluation Project 2019
This report details the impact of our revised approach to regulating barristers’ Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
BSB Research priorities 2019-20
To enable us to achieve the objectives set for 2019-20 in our Business Plan, we have identified key research needs. This will support and contribute to the programme of work set out in the plan.
BPTC Key Statistics 2019. An analysis of students over three academic years
Published in July 2019. Updated statistical report on student performance on the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), the vocational stage of training for the Bar, shows that becoming a barrister remains very competitive. The report presents detailed analysis of the characteristics of students who progress to pupillage and aims to promote transparency in the training system and to inform our programme of work on equality and diversity.
Report on Diversity at the Bar 2018
Published in February 2019. 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. This was the first Diversity at the Bar Report in which Gender Identity was reported on. The report shows that progress was made in 2018 with regard to both diversity at the Bar and to the disclosure rates of barristers providing data. While the diversity of barristers is improving, the report shows that more needs to be done to improve diversity within the profession.
Review of Pupillage and Selection Criteria
Published in January 2019. Research undertaken by the BSB focusing on the recruitment and advertising of pupillages as part of the Future Bar Training (FBT) programme. The research consisted of a content analysis of advertisements on the pupillage recruitment portal (Pupillage Gateway), and an analysis of the selection criteria used by around 50 chambers in assessing the suitability of candidates who apply for pupillage with them. The research was undertaken with the aim of getting a better understanding of recruitment practices in the profession to help inform the FBT policy programme.
Consumer Behaviour and Attitudes towards Price and Service Transparency
Published in September 2018. Research commissioned by the BSB to explore how consumers make decisions when searching for barristers, and to test how consumers respond to different methods of presenting price and service information. The research was carried out by YouGov and London Economics and involved online focus groups with 22 members of the public who had used a barrister in the last two years, and an online behavioural experiment with a nationally representative sample of 1,316 participants.
Research into the Operation of the Qualified Persons Rule
Published in July 2018. A report exploring the effectiveness of the BSB's rules that require newly qualified barristers with less than three years' standing to have readily available access to an experienced practitioner - a Qualified Person (QP) - for support and guidance. The research investigated the level and type of support received or provided as part of the arrangement, the frequency of contact between barristers and QPs, and views on the usefulness and proportionality of the arrangement.
Judicial Perceptions of the Quality of Criminal Advocacy
Published in June 2018 by the BSB and the Solicitors Regulation Authority, this research explores the views of the judiciary on the current quality, provision and regulation of advocacy within the criminal court. The research was carried out by the Institute for Criminal Policy Research of Birkbeck, University of London, and involved in-depth interviews with 50 High Court and circuit judges. The findings suggested that while judges viewed the current quality of advocacy as competent, some felt that standards were declining in some areas, especially in relation to core courtroom skills such as case preparation and dealing with some witnesses.
Women at the Bar: Research exploring solutions to promote gender equality
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.
BPTC Key Statistics 2018. An analysis of students over three academic years
Published in May 2018. Updated statistical report on student performance on the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), the vocational stage of training for the Bar, shows that becoming a barrister remains very competitive. The report presents detailed analysis of the characteristics of students who progress to pupillage and aims to promote transparency in the training system and to inform our programme of work on equality and diversity.
Report on Diversity at the Bar 2017
In January 2018, the BSB published its 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. The report shows that progress was made in 2017 with regard to both diversity at the Bar and to the disclosure rates of barristers providing data. While the diversity of barristers is improving, the report shows there is some way to go before the Bar is fully representative of the public it serves.
New research published to help inform Future Bar Training decisions
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.
- Barriers to training for the Bar: A qualitative study
- Exploring differential attainment at BPTC and Pupillage
Family Law Clients Research report
In July 2017 the BSB published the findings of its research with people who have used barristers' services during family legal proceedings. The findings show that most of those who took part in the research were positive about the service they received from their barrister.
BPTC Key Statistics 2017. An analysis of students over three academic years
Published in June 2017. Updated statistical report on student performance on the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), the vocational stage of training for the Bar, shows that becoming a barrister remains very competitive. The report presents detailed analysis of the characteristics of students who progress to pupillage and aims to promote transparency in the training system and to inform our programme of work on equality and diversity.
Provision of legal services by barristers
Published in May 2017. The report contains the results of an online survey conducted in September and October 2016 with barristers about the future delivery of legal services. The survey found that while there are examples of "new and innovative" business models in the market, the prevailing business model for barristers is a traditional chambers.
Web sweep: transparency of online price information
A May 2017 report based on the findings of a web-sweep exercise which assessed how many websites of barristers' chambers published information about their prices. The findings inform a wider programme of work on price transparency in response to the recommendations of the Competition and Market Authority market study of legal services (2016).
Research into Client Care Letters
Published in November 2016. Research commissioned jointly by legal regulators and the Legal Services Consumer Panel (LSCP) shows that Client Care Letters are often not as effective as they should be in making sure that clients understand the work that is being carried out on their behalf, or in outlining what is required of them. The report identifies principles to help legal services providers better communicate with their clients. The research involved qualitative methods with recent and prospective users of legal services, including a series of mini-groups, face-to-face depth interviews and a workshop.
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.
BPTC Key Statistics 2016. An analysis of students over three academic years
Published in May 2016. Updated statistical report on student performance on the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), the vocational stage of training for the Bar, shows that becoming a barrister remains very competitive. The report presents detailed analysis of the characteristics of students who progress to pupillage and aims to promote transparency in the training system and to inform our programme of work on equality and diversity.
Research into the Public Access Scheme
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.
Assessment of the current regulations of the provision of PII to barristers
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).
Complaints at the Bar: An analysis of ethnicity and gender
Published in January 2016 - A sstatistical 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.
Youth Proceedings Advocacy Review
Published in November 2015. Mixed methods research commissioned jointly by the BSB and Cilex Regulation highlights the damaging effects that poor advocacy has on access to justice for young and often very vulnerable offenders, and their perceptions of the system in general. Whilst recognising there were examples of good practice amongst advocates appearing in youth court proceedings, the overriding view of those who participated within the research was that standards of advocacy were not at the level that the public should expect.
BPTC Key Statistics 2011-2014. An analysis of students over three academic years
Published in November 2015. Presents detailed analysis of the profile and diversity of students enrolled on the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC), the vocational stage of training for the Bar. The report aims to promote transparency in the training system and to inform our programme of work on equality and diversity.
Bar Barometer full report 2014
The Bar Barometer presents data for the main stages of training for the Bar and for those in practice. As well as using data from the Bar Council's membership records, this report also uses data from the Bar Standards Board's Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) providers' monitoring data and the Pupillage Supplementary Survey. (Last in series, please refer to our statistics pages for up-to-date information on the life cycle of the Bar).
Barristers' Working Lives A second biennial survey of the Bar 2013
Barristers' Working Lives reveals the results from the second biennial survey of the Bar. It is jointly published by the Bar Standards Board and the Bar Council.
Report on diversity of barristers subject to complaints 2013
This report is divided into two parts: the first explains the history of our diversity monitoring of the complaints and disciplinary system, summarises the trends revealed and sets out the action the Bar Standards Board is taking to address potential areas of disparity of treatment. Part 2 sets out the detailed analysis of the complaints diversity data for the five year period 2007-2011.
Bar Barometer full report 2012
The Bar Barometer presents data for the main stages of training for the Bar and for those in practice. As well as using data from the Bar Council's membership records, this report also uses data from the Bar Standards Board's Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) providers' monitoring data and the Pupillage Supplementary Survey.
This paper compares the demographic, socio-economic and educational profiles of pupillage applicants from 2009 with registered pupils in 2011.
Perceptions of criminal advocacy - April 2012
A report by ORC International evaluating the current perceptions of the standards of criminal advocacy.
Barristers' Working Lives - A Biennial Survey of the Bar
The 2011 survey of the Bar gave practising barristers the opportunity to describe their current work situation and future career plans, and give their views about their life at work and their profession. This is the first in a planned series of biennial surveys, and as such gives not only a fascinating insight into barristers' working lives, but also a baseline which will enable changes over time to be tracked.
Bar Barometer full report 2011
Bar Barometer presents data for the main stages of training for the Bar and for those in practice. As well as using data from the Bar Council's membership records, this report also uses data from the Bar Standards Board's Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) providers' monitoring data and the Pupillage Supplementary Survey.
Trends in the profile of the bar, pilot statistical report March 2011
Survey of Barristers Changing Practice Status 2001 - 10 (published 2011)
The General Council of the Bar has been concerned for some time about the
disproportionately high number of female practitioners who leave practice relative to the number of male practitioners. With a view to gaining some understanding of the reasons for this, the General Council of the Bar in 2005 commissioned a survey of individuals who had ceased subscribing or changed their practice status between 2001 and 2005. The survey was repeated in 2007 and annually in subsequent years.
An analysis of students enrolled on the 2010/11 Bar Professional Training Course BPTC
BPTC statistical report, prepared by Bar Council Research Department, June 2012. This report presents an analysis of the data relating to the backgrounds of those students who enrolled on the BPTC in the academic year 2010-11 and supplied monitoring data to the BPTC providers.
Pupillage supplementary survey 2010/11
An analysis of the backgrounds of pupils registered in 2010/11
An analysis of students enrolled on the 2010/11 Bar Professional Training Course
Bar professional Training Course statistical data.
Business Structures Survey 2010
We commissioned YouGov to undertake a survey of barristers and clerks to gauge opinion on new business structures and their regulation.
This paper presents the profile of pupillage applicants who have applied through the 'Pupillage Portal' (OLPAS) online system in 2010. This will include the profile of applicants' equality and diversity strands, including information on their socio-economic and educational backgrounds.
An analysis of full-time students enrolled on the 2009/10 BPTC
Statistical report on BPTC applicants.
BPTC full-time students 2009-10
This report presents an analysis of the data relating to the backgrounds of those students who enrolled on the full-time course in the academic year 2009-10 and supplied monitoring data to the BVC/BPTC providers. The data contained within this report was supplied by each of the course providers at an aggregate level. The data supplied to the BSB by providers is anonymous.
This paper presents the profile of applicants to the Bar Professional Training Course (BPTC) who applied in October 2009 to January 2010. This includes the equality and diversity strands monitored and socio-economic background of applicants.
The Pupillage Supplementary Survey is administered on an annual basis in order to enable monitoring of the various equality, diversity and fair access objectives of the Bar Council and Bar Standards Board. This report presents an analysis of the backgrounds of those registered by the Bar Standards Board to undertake pupillage during the period 1 October 2009 to 30 September 2010.
Chambers monitoring pilot scheme 2009
The report details the approach adopted, the results of the pilot and puts forward
recommendations and suggestions for how a Chambers monitoring scheme could be advanced.
Review of the Bar Vocational Course 2008
This report of the working group chaired by Derek Wood QC reviews the role of the Bar Vocational Course within Bar training.
Ipsos MORI - perceptions of barristers 2007
The research reveals the views and experiences of today's Bar from
consumers, barristers, solicitors and others. We believe it forms an important body of evidence, both for the Board in developing regulatory responses to the problems identified, and for the profession in maintaining its reputation for quality.
