If there is a mass exodus from the criminal bar then the first victims will be those without independent wealth.

For those of us that dedicate our time to social mobility and mentoring - it’s gut wrenching to think it will have all been for nothing.

A thread.

Lots of us spend our spare time working with individuals and organisations to promote social mobility.

The idea that normal kids from the local comp - kids like us - can end up in one of the most established professions, with an actual wig and a gown, still blows my mind.

Some context. To become a barrister, you usually need to fund a degree, possibly fund a conversion course, fund the bar course and find your living costs for all of that. The bar course costs well over £10,000. For a 9 month course. Recently some students paid over £18,000.

After you’ve done all of that you need to find a “Pupillage” - a training spot. Sometimes there are 300 candidates for 2 places. It’s fierce.

Even if you somehow get through that gauntlet you have to live on a pupillage “award” (low in criminal sets) and survive a tough year.

And even if you do all of that - bear with me here - you then apply for tenancy.

That’s who stays and goes. Sometimes there is a panel. Sometimes everyone gets to vote on you.

Imagine your whole building voting on your future.

And if it’s a no? Another 6-12 months elsewhere.

And some scramble through that entire obstacle course with no money whatsoever, significant barriers, no family experience of higher education. They get loans and apply for scholarships (competitive). They kip on sofas and they find mentors and they finally, somehow, arrive.

And then - they start working. This is what they get paid for a first appearance in the Magistrates’ Court:

You’ll see that’s a “protocol”. That’s because it used to be lower than that.

I did them for £35 in 2011 at another chambers. My student debt was five figures.

That’s before deductions. Tax. If they’re a tenant (not a brand new one) then they’ll often pay a % to chambers too.

“She’s chosen a first appearance!” you cry, “bet that’s a poor example.”

A half day trial in the Mags involves preparing cross-examination of witnesses, editing interviews, agreeing facts, considering exhibits, a conference, possibly calling your client, speeches on law etc.

I cannot be clearer about this. Someone could go to prison depending on this person’s work.

£75. Before deductions. The prep alone could be several hours. The responsibility is crippling. Juniors work late into the night. The debt they are trying to clear is often five figures.

I pinched the screenshots from the Crime Fees App which every barrister should download and follow @ssswillis and buy him a coffee - I digress.

Things get a bit brighter and people do a little better as time goes on and they reach the Crown Court (don’t get me started on the fee arrangement there) - but *these* are the guys arriving with their student debt and their exhaustion and this is what they do each and every day.

So when disaster strikes - which it has - who will be the first to leave?

Take a guess.

Social mobility, and diversity, really matters in this job. It matters that the bar reflects the society it serves - particularly if the judiciary is drawn from it.

Work has been slow but steady. I can’t explain the thrill when someone makes it against the odds. Against it all.

When asked, fewer than half of barristers answered the Q about what type of school they been to. But even if EVERY SINGLE ONE of the people who did not respond went to a state school - the rate of private education at the bar would remain TWICE that of the general population.

Lockdown could put us back decades. I don’t see how any very junior member of the profession could survive for long without independent wealth. That’s not to knock the fortunate few - but those we will lose first have come so far.

We will be poorer without them.

Some chambers have made provisions for their most junior. The Inns and BBA have schemes in place. Look into them. Support them.

But the fallout from this will extend far and wide for a long time to come. It will creep further up the call boards and talent will be drained.

Defending and prosecuting crime, for modest pay, helps the government and helps society. Those that don’t fit into gov schemes - or for whom they fall short - will fall through the cracks.

It’s worth saving. It’s really worth saving.

Including those last through the door.