In October and November 2021, the LSRA along with independent research company Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A), carried out an online anonymised survey of law undergraduates and trainee and practising solicitors and barristers in their first seven years of practice.

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.

The survey was distributed via email to:

• Student barristers undertaking the Barrister-at-Law degree course at the Honorable Society of King’s Inns;
• Trainee solicitors undertaking the PPC course at the Law Society of Ireland;
• Solicitors on the Roll of Solicitors for seven years or less and with a current practising certificate;
• Practising barristers who are practising for seven years or less (called to the Bar from 2014 onwards);
• Undergraduate law students currently in certain courses in a number of universities, colleges and Institutes of Technology in Ireland.

This survey was distributed on a phased basis during October 2021 via email with the kind assistance of the professional bodies and third level institutes to:

• PPC trainee and early career solicitors (with current practising certificates) via the Law Society of Ireland;
• Student barristers on the Barrister-at-Law degree course via the Honorable Society of King’s Inns;
• Practising barristers who are members of the Law Library via the Bar of Ireland;
• Practising barristers who are not members of the Law Library via the LSRA;
• Law undergraduates via the law departments of certain universities, colleges and ITs.

The online anonymised survey will be augmented by a number of in-depth one-to-one qualitative interviews with trainee and practising solicitors and barristers.

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 that continue to be faced by young barristers and solicitors following their professional qualification from the Kings Inn’s and the Law Society, respectively” 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 requested that the LSRA engage appropriately with all relevant stakeholders, including with university law students, those students currently studying in the King’s Inns and the Law Society and newly qualified members of both professions, as well as more long standing members of both professions and their representative bodies.

The Authority will report to the Minister in early 2022.

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]

Updated 19 November 2021