A national survey conducted by the Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) has found that 81% of women lawyers believe their career progression in litigation is more difficult than that of their male counterparts, while 34% reported experiencing gender bias in professional settings, highlighting continuing structural barriers within India’s legal profession despite increasing representation of women at the entry level.
The findings form part of a broader institutional study examining participation, visibility, mentorship access, financial stability, and leadership representation of women advocates across courts in India, including appearances before the Supreme Court of India.
Scope and Structure of the Survey
The SCBA survey was conducted to assess the professional experiences of women advocates practising across trial courts, High Courts, and the Supreme Court. Respondents included junior advocates, chamber associates, independent litigators, and arguing counsel at different stages of litigation careers.
Lawyers were asked to respond to questions relating to:
- access to independent briefing opportunities
- courtroom exposure and arguing roles
- availability of mentorship
- participation in bar leadership structures
- workplace bias and professional conduct concerns
- financial sustainability during early practice
- long-term career mobility within litigation practice
The objective of the survey was to identify institutional and structural factors influencing professional advancement despite parity in academic qualifications and training.
81% Report More Difficult Career Progression Than Male Peers
The survey found that 81% of women respondents believe their litigation careers have been more difficult compared to similarly placed male colleagues, even where levels of education, experience, and courtroom exposure were comparable.
Respondents reported that disparities often emerge during the early years of litigation practice, particularly in access to independent appearances and client briefing opportunities. Several participants indicated that they remained in assisting roles longer than male peers with similar experience levels.
Limited opportunities to argue complex constitutional, commercial, and arbitration matters were also identified as factors affecting professional visibility and advancement.
The findings suggest that merit alone does not determine progression uniformly within courtroom practice environments.
34% Report Experiencing Gender Bias in Professional Settings
In addition to disparities in career progression, 34% of respondents reported encountering gender bias in professional environments, including differential treatment in allocation of work, courtroom interactions, and expectations regarding availability for litigation responsibilities.
Some respondents indicated that gender-based assumptions affected client confidence and briefing patterns, particularly in matters involving high-stakes commercial disputes or senior-level arguing roles.
Others reported challenges related to workplace culture within chambers and institutional settings, including limited access to informal professional networks that influence allocation of opportunities.
The survey identifies gender bias as a continuing concern affecting both early-stage practitioners and mid-career litigators.
Unequal Access to Independent Briefing Opportunities
A recurring issue highlighted in the survey relates to access to direct client briefing. Several respondents indicated that independent appearances before courts remain disproportionately lower for women advocates compared to male counterparts with similar qualifications.
Since courtroom visibility plays a central role in establishing professional credibility in litigation practice, disparities in briefing opportunities were identified as having long-term consequences for career advancement.
Participants also noted that allocation of complex matters involving constitutional interpretation, arbitration, and regulatory disputes remains uneven across gender lines.
Mentorship Gaps and Professional Networks
The survey emphasized the importance of mentorship networks in shaping litigation careers. Many respondents reported that informal professional relationships continue to influence allocation of briefs and referrals within chambers and court practice.
Limited access to structured mentorship opportunities was identified as a barrier affecting transition from assisting roles to independent appearances. Respondents suggested that institutional mentorship programmes could improve representation of women advocates in senior arguing roles.
The findings indicate that mentorship access remains an important determinant of long-term career mobility within the profession.
Representation in Bar Leadership Structures
The survey also examined participation of Women Lawyers in executive committees and governing bodies of bar associations. It found comparatively lower representation of women in leadership positions responsible for institutional decision-making within professional bodies.
Respondents indicated that greater representation in such roles could improve attention to infrastructure issues, safety concerns within court complexes, and equitable distribution of professional opportunities.
Leadership participation was identified as an important factor influencing institutional responsiveness to gender-related concerns in litigation practice environments.
Financial Sustainability During Early Litigation Practice
Another major concern identified by respondents relates to financial instability during the early years of courtroom practice to Women Lawyers. Several participants reported that unpredictable income patterns disproportionately affect women advocates, particularly during the transition from chamber-based work to independent practice.
The survey observed that financial uncertainty contributes to higher attrition rates among women lawyers from litigation careers compared to corporate legal roles and in-house positions.
This trend was identified as a structural challenge affecting long-term retention of women advocates within independent courtroom practice.
Institutional Significance of the Findings
The SCBA survey contributes empirical evidence to ongoing discussions regarding gender representation within India’s litigation ecosystem. Bar associations and professional institutions have increasingly recognized the need to address disparities in briefing opportunities, mentorship access, and leadership participation affecting women advocates.
The findings are expected to inform future institutional initiatives aimed at improving participation of women lawyers in independent litigation practice and decision-making roles within bar bodies.
The report adds to a growing body of institutional research highlighting structural barriers affecting career advancement despite parity in merit, qualifications, and professional training across the legal profession.
Also Read: Forced “Unnatural” Sex by Husband Not Rape or Offence Under Sections 376, 377 IPC Due to Marital Rape Exception; May Still Amount to Cruelty: Madhya Pradesh High Court
Join Our WhatsApp Channel: Click here to Join
