Black, Asian and Other Minority Ethnic Groups Earn Less Than White Barristers

London: The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has today published a new report analysing its data on barristers’ income by gender and ethnicity. It shows that female barristers are likely to earn less than male barristers and that those from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic groups are likely to earn less than White barristers. This holds true when looking at the income of barristers practising within the same area of law, within the same parts of the country, and amongst those with similar seniority in terms of how long they have been practising. The report shows that income differences are particularly marked when looking at gender and ethnicity together, with female barristers from minority ethnic backgrounds being the lowest earning group and white male barristers being the highest earning group.

It is not the levels of incomes that are our focus here, however, but the disparities between different groups.   These disparities are marked and cannot be explained away by seniority, geography or area of law. The disparities underline why the Bar Standards Board will continue to prioritise its work on diversity and challenge the Bar to do more and better in combatting discrimination affecting the progression of women and of barristers from Black, Asian and Ethnic Minority backgrounds.”

Report on income at the Bar by gender and ethnicity https://is.gd/3ddp0G