BSB to investigate whether discriminatory recruitment barriers exist

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) is set to look at whether there are “unjustified and discriminatory barriers to pupillage” at the advertising and recruitment stage.

Reported in Legal Futures last week, the BSB – as part of its “Future Bar Training” programme – has analysed the content of pupillage ads on the Pupillage Gateway and asked approximately 50 chambers (and other organisations that take on pupils) to provide details of their marking criteria.

The information gathered will be used to identify whether there are common recruitment practices that may inhibit the diversity of entrants to the profession.

Dr Vanessa Davies, BSB director-general, said: “Much of the evidence we have gathered to date indicates that availability of pupillages may be a barrier to increasing diversity at the Bar, so reviewing the way in which pupillages are advertised and how pupils are recruited is an important element of our overall programme of work. Seeking input from barristers and chambers’ staff in this review is an example of how we have sought to involve the profession throughout our Future Bar Training programme. We will of course publish the results of our review into recruitment and advertising in due course.”