The male-dominated world of the Bar has always been a difficult place for women barristers to progress. But have recent schemes to incorporate more ‘family friendly’ policies been a success, or is there more still to be done to ensure equality? Dominic Carman reports
“The glass ceiling remains a serious problem at the Bar. There still appears to be a preference by some clients to instruct male barristers, particularly in the senior echelons of commercial work.” This damning indictment from Tim Dutton QC, chairman of the Bar Council, echoes the belief of Cherie Booth QC that “the law is sexist” and a “very family-unfriendly” profession.
