Gender pay gap among barristers starts from career beginning, new research shows

Recent research conducted by the Bar Council has shed light on the persistent gender pay gap among barristers, revealing that the divide emerges as soon as they enter the profession. 

The findings, reported in the New Practitioner Earnings Differentials at the Self-Employed Bar, indicate that the earnings gap between male and female barristers begins to manifest from the outset of their careers, with no clear explanation found in factors such as caring responsibilities, chosen practice areas, or the amount of legal aid funded work handled. 

The report delves into the earnings dynamics of barristers with zero to three years of experience. Across this spectrum, it unveils a notable 13% difference in median earnings between genders. Even within narrower experience brackets, such as those with less than one year of experience, a 5% gap persists, while it widens to 19% for barristers with two years of experience. 

However, the extent of this earnings gap varies depending on the chosen practice area. For instance, the divide is least pronounced in family law, standing at 4%, while it is most significant in fields like crime and personal injury/professional negligence, where the gap reaches 17%. 

In light of these findings, the report puts forward several recommendations aimed at addressing and monitoring the gender pay gap.  

It suggests that sets should take proactive measures to manage both practice and career development by regularly analysing earnings data. Furthermore, implementing policies to monitor led work and conducting frequent practice reviews are among the proposed strategies to tackle this issue effectively.