Criminal exodus

Only 44% of 1717 CBA members surveyed remain committed to practising primarily publicly funded law.

Reasons given were that barristers are working flat out but not being paid enough. 20% work more than 70 hours per week, and 80% worked at least a 50-hour week.

CBA chair, Mary Prior KC said: ‘The profession is in crisis.’

Nearly all (97%) want the same rights as the judiciary, civil service and other public sector workers, with fees being set by an independent national pay review body. Nine out of ten want parity in fees for prosecution and defence acting in the same case. Some 87% want a one-off rise to bring remuneration up to date.