New research shows the majority of pupil barristers from Oxbridge, with £76,000 average awards
A new study has revealed that more than half of pupil barristers (53%) hail from prestigious Oxford or Cambridge universities, with 42% attending private schools. The survey, conducted by Chambers & Partners, highlights the continued dominance of these institutions in the legal profession, particularly among those seeking a career at the Bar.
The research also found that over 75% of pupil barristers hold a first-class degree, with the average pupillage award reaching £76,000 for an average 53-hour working week. However, while commercial sets offer the highest awards, with some reaching £90,000, pupils in publicly funded areas such as civil, criminal, or family law see significantly lower earnings. The minimum award for a pupillage is £24,203 in London and £22,019 outside of London.
When it comes to the universities attended, while 53% of pupils come from Oxbridge, 23% attend Russell Group institutions like Bristol, Durham, and UCL. Around 12% of pupils studied at overseas universities, with prestigious names like Harvard and Yale among them. This diversity in backgrounds reflects the global reach of the Bar, though Oxbridge remains the most common starting point.
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Interestingly, while a significant proportion of pupils (42%) attended fee-paying schools, it was found that 43% came from non-fee-paying schools, highlighting the ongoing push towards greater social mobility at the Bar. However, the percentage of pupils from fee-paying schools still stands higher than the national average of 7% for the UK population. Furthermore, 10% of pupils attended international schools, with 5% having attended both state and private institutions.
The report also revealed the motivations behind choosing a career at the Bar, with the intellectual challenge being the most cited reason (30%). Other reasons included seeking a rewarding career (15%) and a passion for advocacy (15%). Only 6% of respondents cited income as their primary motivator, and just 1% were driven by a desire to represent vulnerable individuals.
In terms of academic backgrounds, over half of the pupils did not have a law degree. The most popular alternative degrees included history, modern languages, and classics. Most pupils (34%) took their Bar course at City Law School, with 24% attending the Inns of Court College of Advocacy and 17% going to BPP University.
A pupil typically completes an average of six mini-pupillages before securing a full pupillage, and almost all pupils (90%) aspire to achieve silk status. This underscores the commitment and determination of those entering the profession despite the highly competitive nature of the process.
Cait Evans, global talent head of research at Chambers and Partners, stated: “Aspiring barristers face huge competition for pupillages, with top academics from prestigious universities often being a prerequisite at most top sets. Despite efforts to promote social mobility, Oxbridge graduates still predominate. This shows how long and financially demanding the journey to a legal career can be.”