The LSRA is seeking the views of individuals who have qualified as a barrister or solicitor in or after 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.

The LSRA is carrying out the online anonymous survey following a request from the Minister for Justice for the Authority to consider the economic and other barriers faced by young barristers and solicitors and to make recommendations.

The survey is being conducted with independent research company Behaviour & Attitudes (B&A). It will run until 18th February 2022.

The survey fieldwork will inform the LSRA’s forthcoming report to the Minister for Justice. This Minister 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 LSRA has been asked by the minster to pay particular attention to equity of access and entry into the legal professions and the objective of achieving greater diversity within the professions, and to make recommendations for change.

Last year, as part of the same research, the LSRA undertook a comprehensive survey of trainee and early career solicitors and barristers, as well as law undergraduates. The Authority also invited written submissions from stakeholders and the public.