More than eight in ten barristers say they understand the profession’s code of conduct and ethical duties, according to the Bar Council’s latest Barristers’ Working Lives survey for 2025.
Survey shows strong ethical awareness
The questionnaire, sent to both employed and self‑employed practitioners in England and Wales, achieved a 27% response rate. Respondents gave the code of conduct an average rating of 8.45 out of 10. One‑third of those surveyed reported completing ethics training or continuing professional development in the past year, and a similar share said they had done so within the last five years.
Clients pressing for unethical actions emerged as the top source of difficulty, with 51% of barristers indicating it had caused problems. Maintaining independence followed, cited by 31% of participants. Despite these pressures, nearly eight in ten said they would be “very likely” to turn to colleagues for ethical guidance, and 70% would seek help from senior peers or managers.
Bar Council’s support infrastructure
The Bar Council highlighted its Ethical Enquiries Service, which fielded almost 4,000 calls and answered more than 500 written queries during 2024‑25. The service helps lawyers interpret obligations under the BSB Handbook and offers daily assistance. In addition, the council runs regular webinars and keeps its ethics and practice website updated with guidance and event listings.
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Chair of the Bar, Kirsty Brimelow KC, said the survey confirms that barristers “take their ethical obligations very seriously” and that existing support keeps the ethics culture strong. She added that no substantial regulatory changes are needed, though a clearer BSB Handbook would be welcomed.
While the Legal Services Board has flagged concerns about non‑disclosure agreements and strategic lawsuits against public participation, the survey found only a tiny fraction of practitioners view these as major ethical issues. The council argues that legislation, rather than additional Bar regulation, is the most effective way to address such lawsuits.
Analysis of the findings points to two priority areas for future action: training focused on preserving independence and handling client pressure, and targeted guidance on those topics. The Bar Council intends to work with stakeholders to provide further assistance to employed barristers where needed.
From a broader perspective, the data suggest that the Bar’s internal mechanisms for ethics oversight are functioning at a level comparable to other regulated professions. When practitioners have ready access to peer support and formal advisory services, they are more likely to resolve dilemmas without external intervention.
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That pattern reinforces the idea that a well‑structured support network can mitigate the impact of external pressures, such as demanding clients, on professional conduct.
The full report, titled “Ethics at the Bar 2026,” is available online and includes detailed breakdowns of responses and recommendations for upcoming initiatives.
Read the detailed findings for free.
