Women barristers received nearly a third of all briefs, total brief fee value, Law Council shares

• 32 percent of the total 35,380 briefs reported by briefing entities 
• 31 percent of the total value of brief fees of $1.057bn, excluding goods and services tax, representing a nine percent increase in overall fees paid to women barristers compared with the previous financial year and a 16 percent increase since the policy’s launch 

“This is a significant milestone,” Wolff said. “It reflects sustained effort across the profession to drive cultural change and improve equality.” 

Despite the progress in meeting targets, she expressed concern about this year’s decreased reporting rates. She acknowledged the work needed to improve reporting processes, encourage future participation, and ensure the figures accurately reflect reality. 

The annual report also revealed that: 

• Briefing entities briefed senior barristers 19,699 times within the reporting period, with senior women barristers receiving a quarter of these briefs 
• Briefing entities briefed junior barristers 15,681 times within the reporting period, with junior women barristers receiving 41 percent of these briefs 
• Barristers were briefed with women barristers 48 percent of the time, a four percent increase from the previous financial year 
• For new matters, other barristers recommended women barristers 64 percent of the time 
• For current matters, adoptees recommended women barristers 62 percent of the time 

Diversity work

In the media release, Wolff shared that the Law Council is also making efforts to improve understanding of the legal profession’s diversity and ways to support legal practitioners’ careers. 

“The National Attrition and Re-Engagement Study Plus (NARS+), being conducted by the University of New South Wales, builds on our landmark National Attrition and Re-engagement Study from over a decade ago, which informed the development of our Equitable Briefing Policy,” she said. 

According to Wolff, through insights regarding attrition and engagement across various lawyer groups, the new study aims to help improve future workforce strategies and ensure that the legal profession reflects and effectively serves the community. 

She urged legal professionals to give their input prior to the survey’s closure on 24 April 2026.