The number of barristers could be set to fall after 40 years of continuous growth, according to a report published last week.

The report by consultants Jomati predicts that a drop in the number of law firms, coupled with more work done by solicitor-advocates, particularly in the higher criminal courts, will reduce the number of referrals to barristers and cut the size and income of the bar.

The bar faces a further challenge from large corporates and local councils seeking to reduce their advocacy spend, with some using barrister panels to drive down costs, it adds.

The paper predicts that these factors and the changing business practices of the bar will result in a consolidation of chambers, and lead to a fall in the number of sets from the current 340 to below 300.

It also notes that the number of barristers retiring is rapidly accelerating as the ‘baby boomer’ generation come to the end of their careers.

The report concludes that the bar ‘faces a period of profound change as chambers come to terms with new economic models and business practices’.

Tony Williams, principal consultant at Jomati, said: ‘Issues affecting law firms will have a significant impact on the bar. The reduction in smaller law firms will remove a significant source of instructions. In addition, as larger law firms continue facing subdued work levels, they will be under pressure to keep more work within the law firm, and to refer as little to the bar as possible.’

Williams said that chambers can ‘get closer’ to law firms to ‘articulate their value proposition and high level of expertise’, but says that this requires a higher level of marketing and teamwork than has traditionally been seen at the bar.