The Pupil Survey 2025 revealed a growing uncertainty among the next generation of barristers, with many citing work-life balance, financial concerns, and wellbeing challenges as some of the main reasons for hesitation about a long-term career in the profession.
While overall satisfaction rates within the pupillage experience remains high – at around 90% reporting a positive experience – just 32% of respondents said they would definitely recommend the Bar as a career, down from 42% in 2024. A further 45% said they would possibly recommend it.
The leading factor cited by those questioning the viability of a long-term career at the Bar was poor work-life balance. The proportion of pupils raising this issue rose significantly, from 26% In 2024 to 34% this year.
Respondents also described a combination of excessive last-minute workloads, poor scheduling and lack of boundaries between professional and personal time as key contributors to stress levels.
Health conditions and caring responsibilities were often made worse by inflexible working arrangements and unclear sick leave policies.
Concerns around financial viability also intensified. This year, 26% of pupils cited insufficient remuneration as a barrier to a career at the Bar – near double the 14% recorded in 2024.
The average pupil award remained unchanged from last year, at between £30,000 and £39,999. Anticipated debt levels also remained high, with most pupils expecting to leave pupillage with around £50,000 to £59,999 in student debt. Reported working hours typically ranged from 40 to 51 hours per week.
While the overall proportion of pupils reporting bullying, harassment or discrimination remained at around 17% the report revealed a sharp increase in male pupils reporting or witnessing such experiences – from just 3% last year to 28%, equal to the figure for female pupils.
Gender was the most commonly cited basis for mistreatment, followed by race. Notably, the percentage of pupils stating the harassment they faced was sexual in nature more than doubled, from 7% in 2024 to 18% this year.
In around 60% of cases, the source of mistreatment was reported to be other barristers, though 18% of pupils said the perpetrator was their pupil supervisor, and another 18% pointed to a head of chambers or practice manager.
The Chair of the Bar Council, Barbara Mills KC, welcomed the overall positive feedback on pupillage, but acknowledged the areas of concern.
“We are encouraged by the consistently positive experiences reported by the majority of pupils.
“However, some of the findings demonstrate areas where we need to do more work — alongside chambers, employers, Inns and specialist Bar associations — to ensure all pupils have the support they need.”
The Bar Council has committed to using the findings to shape ongoing efforts to improve training, wellbeing, and equality across the profession.
As the new year begins, a wave of aspiring legal minds are gearing up for the commencement of pupillage applications—a defining moment in their pursuit of a career at the bar...
