A survey by the Edinburgh Bar Association (EBA) found that 87.5 per cent of members agreed that their role as a criminal defence solicitor has had a negative impact on their mental and/or physical health.

EBA estimates that there are fewer than 70 independent criminal practitioners remaining in EBA, which received 56 responses to its survey. 

It also found that 91 per cent of respondents felt overworked and that 87.5 per cent agreed that their role as a criminal defence solicitor has had a negative impact on their personal life.

Ninety-six per cent of respondents felt that their role is undervalued in comparison to other justice partners while 100 per cent felt that they were unable to devote adequate time to some cases due to a lack of resources.

Ninety-eight per cent of those surveyed felt that they were not adequately remunerated for the work that they do. The entirely of respondents indicated that they were concerned about the future of the independent criminal bar.

Finally, 82 per cent said that they had considered leaving the profession in the last 12 months.