In February 2022, the LSRA along with independent research company Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A), carried out an online anonymised survey of recently qualified solicitors and barristers who have chosen not to practise at this time.

The survey responses will inform research and a report to the Minister for Justice on economic and other barriers faced by early career solicitors and barristers.

This survey is aimed at people who have qualified as a barrister or solicitor since 2014 by completing professional training with the Honorable Society of King’s Inns or the Law Society of Ireland and have chosen not to practise as a barrister or solicitor at this time. This includes people who qualified and never practised and also people who did practise for a time in the past, but are not currently practising.

This survey asks questions about respondents’ views and experiences of the legal professions to help the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) better understand barriers facing early career legal professionals and why people who have recently qualified as solicitors and barristers decide not to practise.

A recently qualified barrister who has chosen not to practise at this time is a person who:

• Completed the Barrister at Law degree at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns in or after 2014;
• May or may not have practised as a barrister since then;
• Is not currently practising as a barrister; and
• Is not named on the Roll of Practising Barristers.

A recently qualified solicitor who has chosen not to practise at this time is a person who:

• Completed the PPC and in-office training as required by the Law Society of Ireland and was admitted to the Irish Roll of Solicitors in or after 2014;
• May or may not have practised as a solicitor since then, by either holding a Practising Certificate or practising in a role where a Practising Certificate was not legally required;
• Is not currently practising as a solicitor; and
• Does not currently hold a Practising Certificate.

The survey is part of research based on a request from the Minister for Justice for the LSRA to “consider the economic and other barriers faced by young barristers and solicitors” and to make recommendations.

The Minister has stated that this is part of her plan to increase diversity across the justice sector including the legal profession. The Minister has asked the LSRA to examine:

• The remuneration of trainee barristers and solicitors;
• The other costs associated with joining each profession;
• The information available to prospective trainee barristers and solicitors on available
  masters and solicitors firms; the information available on the terms and conditions
  available, and how they are selected;
• Any other barriers faced by young barristers and solicitors, including the ability to
  take maternity leave.

The Minister has also asked that the LSRA pay particular attention to equity of access and entry into the legal professions, and the objective of achieving greater diversity within the professions.

The Minister has requested that the LSRA engage appropriately with all relevant stakeholders, including individuals who have completed professional training with the Honorable Society of King’s Inns or the Law Society of Ireland in recent years, but have chosen not to practise at this time.

 The LSRA’s Privacy Notice and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) in relation to the survey can be viewed here.

B&A’s Privacy Policy is available here.

If you have any questions or queries in relation to this survey, please email: [email protected]