How many black people are lawyers in the UK?

Asked by: Ibrahim Mraz I  |  Last update: October 29, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (53 votes)

In terms of ethnicity, we found that 19% of lawyers working across all firms were of Black, Asian or minority ethnic origin, up from 18% in 2021 and 14% in 2015. This group is made up of 12% Asian lawyers, 3% Black, 3% Mixed/Multiple and 1% of lawyers from other minority ethnic backgrounds.

What percentage of UK lawyers are black?

All lawyers

Overall, 19% of lawyers are from a Black, Asian and minority ethnic background, up from 18% in 2021, of which: 12% are Asian. 3% are Black. 3% are from a Mixed/Multiple background.

What percentage of blacks are lawyers?

Black lawyers were 5% of the profession in 2014 and 5% in 2024. That's far less than the percentage of Black people in the U.S. population (13.7%). Native Americans are the smallest racial or ethnic group among U.S. lawyers.

What percentage of law students become lawyers in the UK?

The Law Society state that in 2022 in England and Wales, there were 34,250 UK students accepted on to a law course. From which 7,160 became qualified solicitors. Which would mean roughly 21% of accepted law students eventually qualify as solicitors.

What type of lawyer is most in demand in the UK?

According to recent insights from the LexisNexis GLP Index, property, immigration, restructuring, and insolvency law are projected to experience the strongest demand growth in 2025. This mirrors the increasing demand across several core practice areas, each driven by unique economic and social factors.

Where are the black Lawyers? Is the legal profession inclusive enough in the UK?

40 related questions found

Do lawyers earn more in the UK or US?

At a glance. Trainees in London earn more than those working outside the capital. You'll earn less in smaller firms but will likely rise up the ladder quicker. USA based firms pay the highest trainee and newly-qualified salaries, followed by Magic Circle then City firms.

Is there a shortage of lawyers UK?

Data from the Law Society and Bar Council indicate that the number of solicitors and barristers specializing in criminal law has been steadily decreasing over the past decade. For instance, the Law Society reported in 2022 that the number of solicitors practicing criminal law had fallen by 11% in five years.

Are lawyers paid well in England?

Job site Indeed reports the average salary for a solicitor is just under £50,000 a year, based on almost 11,000 reported salaries. Of course, this figure can vary significantly based on the factors mentioned earlier, with some London based, Magic Circle firms paying experienced professionals well over £100,000 a year.

What is the average age of lawyers in the UK?

Of these qualified solicitors: 3,827 are female and 2,523 are male. the average age entered onto the roll in 2021-22, across both genders, is 30 years. the average for males is 32.5 and the average age for females is 30.6.

What GPA do you need for law school in the UK?

Apply for a 3-year LLB in the UK

Students will normally need a GPA of at least 2.7/4.0 to qualify for this program. SI-UK will assist you in applying to 5 UK Universities at once, making sure you get into as high-ranked a university as your transcripts will allow.

How many lawyers are depressed?

A nationwide study of ~13,000 lawyers indicated that 28% experienced depression, 19% reported anxiety, 21% had alcohol use problems, and 11% had problems with drug use [3].

Are lawyers becoming oversaturated?

Law School Myth 5:

The job market for lawyers is oversaturated. While it is true that there are more law school graduates than there are jobs available in some markets, the job market for lawyers is actually quite strong overall.

What percentage of the US population is black?

In 2023, Black or African American alone individuals represented an estimated 13.7% of the total U.S. population .

Is it difficult to become a lawyer UK?

Becoming a lawyer in the UK is not a quick process by any means. It involves dedication, years of study and work experience, and ongoing professional development.

What percentage of US lawyers are black?

Nearly all people of color are underrepresented in the legal profession compared with their presence in the U.S. population. For example, 5% of all lawyers are African American – the same percentage as 10 years earlier – but the U.S. population is 13.4% African American.

What percentage of professors are black in the UK?

The number of Black academic staff with the contract level of 'Professor' rose by 25% but represented only 1% of all professors. The proportion of professors who were female increased to 31% in 2022 compared to 30% in 2021.

How many years does it take to become a lawyer UK?

How long it takes. It usually takes at least six years to qualify as a solicitor if you study law full time. It will be longer if you study a different subject for your degree and decide later you want to follow a legal career.

Is 52 too old to become a lawyer?

It's never too late in life to apply to law school. Although most applicants are under 25, about 1 in 5 are 30 or older and a much smaller proportion are over 40.

Who earns more doctors or lawyers UK?

Lawyers are earning an average of £92,606 each year; they are the second highest earners and beaten only by chief executives, who earn an average of £130,734, according to the ONS' 2021 data. By contrast, doctors took home £74,588 this year and dentists £59,669.

What country are lawyers paid the most?

The top countries which offer the highest average Lawyer's salary are the USA, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Ireland, and Switzerland.

What is the highest paid job in the UK?

1. Chief Executives and Senior Officials. Unsurprisingly, chief executives like CEOs and Managing Directors have the best-paying jobs. After all, they're the highest-ranking individuals in an organisation.

Can a US lawyer work in UK?

From September 2021, lawyers from abroad and overseas students who wish to qualify in England and Wales can sit the Solicitors Qualifying Examination (SQE). The SQE allows you to qualify as a solicitor by taking the same exam as domestic candidates.

What percentage of lawyers are black in the UK?

Black lawyers make up 3%, which has risen by 1% since 2014 and now reflects those in employment in the UK (3%3). The proportion of Asian lawyers in law firms is 14% compared to 6% of the UK workforce. Asian lawyers make up two thirds of all BAME lawyers.

How many hours do lawyers work UK?

And what impact do super-sized workweeks have on solicitors, personally and professionally? For solicitors, a full-time role rarely means working 9-to-5. In the UK, solicitors commonly exceed a 40-hour work week, often extending into evenings and weekends to accommodate client needs and meet billable hour targets.