Targets

What are the targets in the Policy?

The Policy sets out short and long term targets which can be adjusted to reflect local conditions. The Policy says it encourages all persons or entities who brief or select barristers, by 1 July 2018:

• a) to brief or select senior women barristers accounting for at least 20% of all briefs and/or 20% of the value of all brief fees paid to senior barristers;
• b) to brief or select junior women barristers accounting for at least 30% of all briefs and/or 30% of the value of all brief fees paid to junior barristers.

The Policy defines a barrister as a member of any independent State or Territory Bar. A senior barrister under the Policy is a barrister of 10 or more years standing at the independent bar or who is Queen’s Counsel or Senior Counsel, and a junior barrister means all other barristers.

In 2018, the targets will be reviewed to reflect the reporting provided by Policy adoptees. It is intended that by 2020 women are briefed in at least 30 per cent of all briefs and receive at least 30% of the value of all brief fees, in accordance with international benchmarks concerning the retention and promotion of women.

What is the difference between quotas and targets?

The Policy suggests targets and not quotas. Targets are specific measurable objectives with discrete timeframes in which they are desired to be achieved. Targets are voluntary and can be tailored, monitored and adjusted according to organisation or industry conditions. Quotas on the other hand are mandatory and are viewed as circumventing selection based on merit and can overlook men in the process of achieving the quotas. For more information on quotas and targets you may wish to view an information sheet by the Workplace Gender Equality Agency on targets and quotas.

How will the targets be measured?

The targets will be measured by information contained in confidential reports provided to the local Bar Association, Law Society, or directly to the Law Council, by 30 September each year by those who adopt the Policy. Barristers practising in NSW who adopt the Policy will confidentially report to the NSW Bar Association.