One in three criminal lawyers who actively seek to leave the bar ‘

New research highlights the profession in crisis

One in three criminal lawyers is considering leaving the bar, according to new investigation.

The findings of the Criminal Lawyers Association (CBA) reveal that although a third of criminal lawyers “actively seek to leave the bar”, another third is considering changing a different practice area. In addition, 12% weigh both options.

According to the survey, less than half of the criminal lawyers remain committed to the work financed with public funds, which received more than 1,700 responses.

The key reasons behind this “crisis” include financial concerns, long and stressful hours and growing administrative burdens. Almost 80% of respondents say that the management of tasks previously administered by lawyers and the CPS prevents them from “properly focusing (ING) in the case” in question. All this comes in the midst of what more than 60% of respondents describe as “judicial infrastructure in ruins.”

“The remuneration simply does not reflect the hours of work” according to the CBA, with 80% of criminal lawyers who work “more than 50 hours a week.” One in two works more than 70 hours, 10 hours a day, with more than a third of work “each or almost every weekend” in “both Saturday and Sunday.” This contributes to 84% lack of “family and personal events” and more than 7 out of 10 suffer from “stressful problems of child care.”

Almost 1,600 answers said they want the focus to be in the “adequate and fair remuneration” in the future. Almost 9 out of 10 are looking for a unique percentage increase in all rates to reflect that criminal lawyers have not been treated as other key workers in the last twenty years. Almost all respondents (97%) seek the same rights as all key workers in the public sector as judges, civil service and others.

A positive conclusion of the investigation is that 80% of lawyers report that they experience a sense of pride and purpose in their work at least sometimes.

These findings, although unfortunate, will not surprise for those who follow the developments in the criminal Bar. Barrísho Joanna Hardy-Susskind recently Concern concerns On the juniors that leave the profession, citing long hours and low wages as key factors.