The LSRA has today published its Pathways to the Professions 2025 report, which highlights growing numbers entering professional training and being admitted to practise as solicitors and barristers in Ireland. The report provides figures and insights into the admissions policies of the legal professions, based on data supplied by the professional bodies. It also examines developments in legal education and training, including sustained demand for part-time training programmes and other flexible pathways into the legal professions.

Key highlights from the report

  • 581 trainee solicitors commenced professional training in 2025, a 7% increase on 2024.
  • 139 student barristers commenced professional training in 2025, a 16% increase on 2024.
  • 583 first-time practising certificates were issued to newly qualified Law Society solicitors, a 54% increase on 2024.
  • 150 barristers were “called to the Bar” by the Chief Justice in 2025, up from 136 in 2024.
  • The number of practising legal professionals increased by 6% to 16,089, comprising 12,961 practising solicitors and 3,128 practising barristers.
  • Almost one in five new solicitor trainees undertook the Law Society of Ireland’s part-time Professional Practice Course (PPC) Hybrid.
  • More than twice as many student barristers enrolled on the Honorable Society of King’s Inns’ two-year modular Barrister-at-Law degree course than the full-time programme.
  • 82% of trainee solicitors secured training contracts in Dublin, while 64% secured training contracts with one of 19 large law firms.

Commenting, Niamh Muldoon, Chief Executive Officer of the LSRA, said: “Growing numbers entering professional training and qualifying to practise are encouraging trends for the future. The continued growth in flexible training routes, reflects widening access to the legal professions, offering a diverse pipeline of future solicitors and barristers for Irish society. The LSRA will continue to work with the professional bodies and other stakeholders to enable measures improving access to the professions, all the while maintaining high standards of legal education and training.”

Read the full report here.

Read the press release here.