A vast majority of new barristers said they had a positive pupillage experience with 8 in 10 feeling well supported by chambers or their employer, according to an annual survey of pupils published today.

While the Bar Council’s Pupil survey 2025 – answered by 170 pupils (roughly 30% of all pupils) – found that 90% had a positive experience, a similar percentage (88%) said their stress levels were ‘moderate’ or ‘high’, an increase from 82% last year.

When asked about what affected their wellbeing, pupils said excessive, last-minute workloads, poor scheduling and the lack of a work-life balance. They also told researchers that both health concerns and caring responsibilities were made more difficult by inflexible working conditions and unclear sick leave policies.

Reports of bullying, harassment and discrimination are lower among pupils than they are across the Bar and although they’re gradually decreasing, are still relatively high. One in 6 (17%) pupils said they had ‘personally experienced’ one of these behaviours compared to 18% in 2024 and 19% in 2022.

However, when including ‘observation’ of bullying, harassment and discrimination, this figure rises to 28% (26% in 2024). Later this year, Baroness Harman will be publishing her independent report on bullying and harassment at the Bar commissioned by the Bar’s representative body. 

Only a third (32%) of all pupils surveyed said they would ‘definitely’ recommend becoming a barrister and 45% said they ‘possibly’ would, marking a decline from 42% and 52% in 2024 respectively.

Echoing the Criminal Bar Association’s survey findings earlier this year, pupils working in crime were three times more likely to be worried about the sustainability of their practice area than other pupils.

While 62% said a future career at the Bar was viable, this was not the case for all pupils with just 45% of disabled pupils saying they saw a future as a barrister. Disabled pupils were also most likely to be unsatisfied with their supervision and pupillage.

This year, the Bar Council sought to improve its data collection and asked disabled pupils to detail the nature of their disability. One in 5 said they had a disability, of which, 71% said they were neurodivergent. 

Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC said: "Pupillage is a crucial stage in a barrister’s career and we are encouraged by the consistently positive experiences reported by the majority of respondents to our surveys over the years. 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 will continue to work hard to ensure that every barrister can reach their full potential, can cope with the challenges and stresses of life so that they can work productively and fruitfully, and are able to make a full and proper contribution to their community.

“That is why this year - to support good mental health and wellbeing - we are piloting and promoting the benefits of reflective practice for barristers with Balint Legal. The Balint groups we’re running are professional facilitated peer discussion groups of reflective practice where barristers can talk about the stresses and strains of everyday work with their colleagues confidentially.

“Alongside this, we are working with the Inns of Court to develop more practical support for pupils and new practitioners which we hope will be in place next year.

“Any reports of bullying, harassment, and discrimination are concerning, and we urge everyone to continue reports incidents to Talk to the Spot, our anonymous reporting tool.

“A thriving Bar must be one where all pupils feel valued, supported, and see a bright future ahead."

The Pupil Survey 2025 report is a summary of the findings from the Bar Council’s 4th survey of pupils.

Other key findings include:

  • Most found the pupillage recruitment process challenging
  • 39% secured pupillage in the first round compared to 14% in 4 or more rounds
  • Median working hours were 41-50 hours per week (38%), down from 44% in 2024
  • The median pupillage award was £30,000-39,999, the same as reported in 2024
  • The median anticipated debt level is also unchanged at £50,000-59,999 but up from £40,000-49,999 in 2022
  • As in 2024, men (25%) are twice as likely as women (13%) to have pupillage awards of £60,000 or more
  • The Bar Standards Board's Ethics Exam was widely criticised as unfair and stressful. Pupils said it was poorly administered and unnecessary as it duplicates prior training from the Bar course
  • Numerous pupils expressed confusion or lack of support regarding interim practice certificates; travel reimbursements; tax, insurance, and VAT (with requests for clearer onboarding information and consistent regulatory guidance)

In light of the findings, the Bar Council has this year set out 4 recommendations:

  1. Remind chambers to respond/provide feedback to those making pupillage applications
  2. Encourage Authorised Education and Training Organisations to adopt better practice in relation to pupil wellbeing and increase support for those with caring responsibilities
  3. Ensure pupils have access to clear and early guidance with practice administration
  4. Improve the BSB Ethics Exam