The number of barristers called to the Bar fell by nearly 20% in 2010-11 compared with the previous year, according to new research compiled by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) and the Bar Council.

The latest Bar Barometer report shows the overall number of barristers called to the Bar in 2010-11 fell to 1,494, down 19% on the 1,852 that formally joined the Bar in 2009-10.