Oxbridge remains strong presence in Bar entry, findings show

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A large proportion (53%) of future barristers are Oxbridge graduates, according to new research by Chambers and Partners, which also found that only 11% of pupils come from non-Russell Group universities. The report surveyed 166 pupils and junior barristers across 33 top UK chambers, examining their educational backgrounds, motivations for pursuing a career at the Bar, working hours and salaries.

Findings showed that the percentage of Oxbridge graduates varied by practice area, with commercial and chancery sets more likely to recruit from Oxbridge, and family common law and crime sets more likely to have pupils from a range of universities. Students from fee-paying schools also continued to make up a disproportionately high number of pupils (42%).

Global talent head of research at Chambers and Partners, Cait Evans, said: “Aspiring barristers face huge competition for pupillages with top academics from a prestigious university a prerequisite at most top sets.

“Oxbridge graduates still predominate and despite considerable efforts to promote social mobility at the Bar, a disproportionate number of pupils still went to fee-paying schools. This is perhaps unsurprising when we look at how long the journey to a career at the Bar can be, with considerable financial outlays along the way.”

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Regardless of educational background, findings highlighted the importance of academic success, with 77% of pupil barristers holding a first-class degree. However, findings showed that law degrees weren’t necessarily favoured by chambers, with half of pupils having studied non-law degrees. Among non-law students, history, modern languages and classics were the most common degrees.

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The report also analysed pupils’ average experience. It found that pupils took part in six two-to-five-day mini-pupillages on average before gaining pupillage. It also found that the average pupil worked around 53 hours a week, which is higher than the average hours of counterparts at magic circle firms. The average pupillage award was £76,000, although fees were lower for publicly funded areas, such as civil, criminal or family law.

Despite the potential for high salaries, only 6% of respondents said they chose the path for money. The most popular reason was intellectual challenge (30%), followed by the importance of a rewarding career (16%) and desire to make the world a better place (16%). When asked about career aspirations, the majority envisioned the Bar as a lifelong career and 91% saw taking silk as a realistic aspiration.

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