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International Women's Day, celebrated on the 8th of March, serves as a reminder of the strides made towards gender equality and the work still to be done. In a recent discussion, I interviewed Anna Yarde, a self-employed barrister, who shared her experiences and observations.

Increasing numbers, stagnant representation

Anna began by addressing the statistics released by the Bar Standards Board (BSB), which indicate a higher number of self-identified women entering the bar in recent years.

According to the BSB, the overall percentage of women at the Bar rose by 0.6% from December 2023 to December 2024, reaching 41.2%. This marks a 5.3% increase since 2015. The proportion of female KCs also increased by 0.8 percentage points, from 20.3% in 2023 to 21.1% in 2024, representing an 8.1 percentage point rise over the past decade.

While this growth is positive, Ana emphasised the importance of distinguishing between those called to the bar and those entering self-employed practice. She noted, "It's really important to distinguish first of all between those who are called to the bar and those who enter into self-employed practice."

Diverse practice areas and role models

The discussion highlighted the disparity in female representation across different practice areas. Ana pointed out that family law is the only field where women outnumber men, with over 60% of family barristers being female.

In contrast, commercial law sees only about 25% female representation. Ana stressed the significance of acknowledging these differences, stating, "There may well be different factors in play in all of those different areas."

Ana also reflected on the importance of role models, noting the impact of figures like Baroness Hale, who was dubbed the "Beyoncé of the law" during the Brexit litigation. She remarked, "It's really helpful for young women who are considering whether or not this is a career option for them to be able to see it."

Cultural shifts and personal identity

Ana shared her personal experiences of cultural shifts within the profession. She recounted being told during her bar course that women should not wear nail polish to court. Reflecting on this, she said, "If you're thinking about what makes you feel like yourself and how you identify as a person, being told to change that... is really fundamental." Ana expressed hope that the current discourse focuses more on what women bring to the table rather than what they need to change.

Retention and supportive policies

A significant concern raised was the retention of women at the bar. Ana highlighted the worrying statistics regarding retention and the number of female silks compared to their male counterparts. She discussed the importance of supportive policies, such as parental leave and flexible working arrangements, which can help retain women in the profession. Ana shared her experience of choosing a chambers, saying, "I had to work out whether I would be charged to remain a member of Chambers for all that time I was away and not earning."

Transparency and future prospects

Ana praised the increasing transparency within chambers, which directly benefits women. She noted that open conversations about discriminatory policies and the development of supportive policies are making the bar more attractive to women. Ana concluded with a powerful message for International Women's Day: "What I would want to say to anybody who identifies as female is simply you belong. You belong here."

The discussion underscored the progress made in increasing female representation at the bar, while also highlighting the challenges that remain. With continued efforts towards supportive policies and cultural shifts, the future looks promising for women in the legal profession. As Ana eloquently put it, the message is clear: women belong at the bar, and their contributions are invaluable.