Login
Why feelings of isolation are so common for barristers
Barristers’ independence can be a double-edged sword; while it allows autonomy, it also creates profound isolation, writes Rebecca Ward, MBA.
Rebecca Ward, MBA
There’s a common perception that barristers are confident, independent professionals who thrive in the courtroom. They argue fiercely, stand their ground, and advocate tirelessly for their clients. But what happens when the case is over? For many barristers, the courtroom’s intensity fades into an unsettling silence. Unlike solicitors, who have the built-in camaraderie of a firm, barristers often operate alone. They prepare alone, strategise alone, and, often, eat lunch alone.
This isolation is more than just a matter of professional structure; it has serious consequences. Studies show that legal professionals experience higher rates of stress, depression, and anxiety than those in other industries. Barristers face unique pressures: intense competition, financial unpredictability, and a work culture that values resilience over vulnerability. These factors, compounded over time, can take a heavy toll on their mental and emotional wellbeing.
The solitary nature of the Bar
Unlike solicitors, who work within firms surrounded by colleagues, barristers are independent practitioners. In Australia, barristers predominantly practice as sole traders, managing all aspects of their work independently. Without team support, many barristers face professional and social isolation. While chambers provide a shared workspace, they do not always foster meaningful professional support networks, leaving barristers to navigate their careers largely alone.
The mental health toll: Stress, depression, and substance use
The legal profession is associated with high rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. Barristers are vulnerable due to professional isolation, the pressure of self-employment, and the unpredictability of income. Many turn to self-medication with alcohol, a longstanding issue in the profession, rather than seeking mental health support. Research suggests that problem drinking is prevalent among Australian lawyers, indicating a critical need for proactive mental health interventions. Suicide rates among barristers remain a significant concern, underscoring the urgent need for structured support systems that prioritise wellbeing.
The pressures of advocacy and financial instability
Barristers face unique challenges that increase stress and feelings of isolation:
- High workload and long hours: Extensive case preparation, court appearances, and unpredictable schedules leave little room for downtime.
- Courtroom pressure: The fear of making mistakes under judicial scrutiny adds emotional strain and can contribute to chronic stress and burnout.
- Financial uncertainty: Unlike salaried legal professionals, barristers often experience fluctuating income, late payments, and high overhead costs, making financial stability a persistent challenge.
- Work/life balance challenges: The demands of the profession make it difficult to maintain relationships, personal wellbeing, and a sense of normalcy outside of work.
Gender disparity, racial inequality, harassment, and workplace bullying
Women and minority groups remain underrepresented at the Bar, with ongoing disparities in career progression and pay. Additionally, multiple studies have highlighted high rates of bullying, racial discrimination, and sexual harassment within the profession. Indigenous barristers are significantly underrepresented and often face additional barriers to entry and career advancement. LGBTQ+ barristers may also experience exclusion and discrimination, adding to feelings of isolation. These systemic issues reinforce the need for greater diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across the legal profession.
The culture of silence and bullying
Workplace bullying is a widespread issue in the legal profession, with reports indicating that barristers experience bullying from various sources:
- Judicial bullying: Judges publicly criticise barristers, sometimes in an aggressive or dismissive manner, creating a hostile professional environment;
- Chambers bullying: Senior barristers may overload juniors, exclude them from opportunities, or engage in career sabotage, contributing to an unsupportive work culture.
- Solicitor-barrister power imbalance: Some solicitors treat barristers as subordinates, withholding work or pressuring them into unethical behaviour, furthering professional stress.
- Pupillage pressure: Junior barristers often face excessive workloads and harsh criticism, which can impact confidence and long-term career progression.
- Media scrutiny and public harassment: Barristers handling high-profile cases are often subject to intense media scrutiny and online harassment. Unlike judges, who have institutional protections, barristers can become targets for public criticism, reputational attacks, and social media abuse, further compounding stress and isolation.
The stigma around mental health and professional struggles means that many barristers suffer in silence, afraid to seek support for fear of being perceived as weak or unfit for the profession. Addressing these challenges requires cultural change and institutional commitment to fostering healthier work environments.
What can be done? Building a culture of support
Loneliness at the Bar doesn’t have to be inevitable. Steps can be taken to improve professional wellbeing:
- Encouraging mentorship and peer networks: Chambers should actively foster mentorship programs where junior barristers receive guidance from experienced professionals.
- Mental health awareness and accessible support: Normalising mental health discussions within the profession and ensuring barristers have access to confidential, stigma-free support services.
- Improving work-life integration: Encouraging barristers to set boundaries and make time for personal relationships, hobbies, and self-care.
- Financial and business support initiatives: Addressing late payments, streamlining legal aid remuneration, and providing business management resources for self-employed barristers.
- Challenging toxic work cultures: Law societies and regulatory bodies should take stronger stances on workplace bullying and judicial mistreatment, ensuring accountability and a supportive professional environment.
Conclusion
Barristers’ independence can be a double-edged sword; while it allows autonomy, it also creates profound isolation. However, by fostering stronger peer connections, addressing mental health challenges, and creating a supportive professional culture, the legal industry can move towards a system where barristers feel less alone. Advocacy shouldn’t come at the cost of personal wellbeing, and as a profession built on justice, it must extend that same care to its own.
Rebecca Ward is an MBA-qualified management consultant and psychotherapist. She is the managing director of Barrister’s Health, which supports the legal profession through management consulting and psychotherapy.
