What does the Pupillage Gateway Report 2024 say for diversity and inclusion?

By Levon Curtis.

Reading time: five minutes

A review of the Pupillage Gateway Report on their diversity and inclusion statistics.

The Pupillage Gateway Report 2024 reported an increase in pupillage advertisements by 10.4% in 2022/23. But does this mean that there was in increase in uptake of those from diverse backgrounds? This article seeks to review the 2024 report to see whether in the 2022/23 Pupillage year there was a win for diversity and inclusion.

Sex

There was continued success for women as they were more likely to receive pupillage offers with 57.3% of offers given to women compared to 38.9% to men. This was not much of a change from the 2021/22 period. The only areas that saw more men receive offers than women were the Commercial and General Civil practice areas. Therefore, women do not seem to face major barrier when receiving offers for pupillage.

Race

60.8% of pupillage offers were to those of a white background. There was a decrease in those from Black/African/Caribbean and Black British backgrounds receiving only 1.7% of pupillage offers. This was a decrease from 3% in the 2022/23 year. Something may need to be addressed here with almost a decrease of 50%.

However, those from a mixed ethnicity background saw an increase of almost 7%, with 10.4% of pupillages being offered to those from mixed ethnicity backgrounds. There was only a slight decrease in those from an Asian/Asian British background with 10.4% receiving offers (0.4% less than 2022).

Further, we have seen an increase in people giving the information for the Bar Council to utilise with only 3.8% choosing the prefer not to say option, 3.3% less than 2022.

Disability

Government reports state that around 24% of the total population are classed as having a disability. Yet when compared to pupillages offered only 10.4% of those receiving pupillage classed themselves as disabled. This was down from 17.2% in 2021/22. The areas which saw the smallest uptake of those who are disabled were Chancery, Crime and Family with 4.8%, 5.4% and 6% respectively.

Social Mobility

There were a clear preference of pupillage offers to go to those with 69.4% of those receiving offers having parents from a professional background. This was compared to 10.4% to those with parents from lower socio-economic backgrounds. Further, only 12.2% of offers went to those eligible for free school meals, despite around 23.8% of state school pupils eligible for free school meals.

Education

When it comes to degrees, 60.1% of offers were made to those with a First Class Honours degree compared to 36.1% with an Upper Second Class Honours. Yet, of all applicants, only 35.7% had a First Class degree with 51% having an Upper Second Class. 57.3% of offers went to those who had not yet completed the Barrister Training Course, proving it is not a prerequisite for receiving pupillage offers. 51.3% of offers were received by those who had secured a scholarship from one of the Inns of Court compared with 38.2% whom had not.

Sexuality

69% of offers were given to those who are heterosexual, with 5% of gay men/women receiving offers. This compares to 1.5% of people defining themselves as gay or lesbian in the 2021 census. Also, 13% of offers were made to those who identify as Bisexual.

Takeaways

Despite a huge increase in pupillages offered (638) in the 2022/23 year, there was not any major changes within the diversity and inclusions statistics. The clear biggest indicator for receiving pupillage offers was having a First Class degree. Those from diverse backgrounds are receiving pupillage offers, however, they still do not reflect the population at large. When it comes to sex, women are readily entering the profession. The statistics on race seems to have a fluctuation from year-to-year and more may need to be done to see an increase of those from other racial background into the profession.

There is a lack of those who are disabled entering the profession, with statistics not meeting the national average. When it comes to social mobility there is a low percentage of those with parents from low socio-economic backgrounds getting into the profession. More may still need to be done in order to increase these statistics to reflect national averages and ensure that the Bar is a viable career option for all.