Skip to content

I need help

Help for barristers

Barristers inherently face very specific challenges on a daily basis. If you need some help click on support to find contact details and advice on seeking support.

Get help

Help for clerks and staff

The professional lives of clerks and chambers’ staff include many potential stressors. If you don’t know how to broach an issue, want advice on your options.

Get help

Help for students and pupils

These resources have been designed specifically for those who have completed their BPTC and for pupils up to tenancy.

Get help

Resources

Our vision

Find out what Wellbeing at the Bar aims to achieve.

Read more

Policy & practice

Guidance on how to introduce wellbeing policies and initiatives and on tackling a wellbeing issue in chambers.

Read more

Media pack

Logos and banners to help you to promote wellbeing.

Read more

Case studies

Examples of successful wellbeing initiatives adopted by chambers, Specialist Bar Associations and the Inns of Court.

Read more

Support

Support for barristers

Who to talk to, how to get help in coping with the pressures and demands of life at the Bar.

Get support

Support for clerks and staff

Who to talk to and how to get help, resources are for clerks and staff themselves.

Get support

Support for students and pupils

Who to talk to and how to get help for those who have completed their BPTC and for pupils up to tenancy.

Get support

Assistance programme

The confidential 24/7 helpline with access to counselling for barristers, pupils, clerks and chambers’ staff.

Get support

Close

Search

Wellbeing at the Bar Blog: Valerie Charbit

The Bar and the Bench: Supporting One Another

Wellbeing is a work in progress for all of us, one which we should be required to consider daily, like a mantra in order to achieve regular improvements. Another way we can seek to change or improve our wellbeing is by attending events which provide us with some support for the variety of difficulties barristers face. The South Eastern Circuit has organised joint events to support both the Bar and the bench on this important topic.

HHJ Simon Davis and HHJ John Denniss from Isleworth Crown Court, were the first two judges to come and speak to the Bar in February 2017 in Inner Temple about this important topic. Chatham House rules apply so I won’t repeat what has been said by judges thus far but suffice it to say that the bench being made up of impressive advocates are impressive speakers on this topic.

The second event in April 2018 took place at Lincoln’s Inn and was supported by Judges from Wood Green (HHJ Noel Lucas Q.C., HHJ John Dodd Q.C., HHJ Kaly Kaul Q.C. and HHJ Greg Perrins). Each spoke about wellbeing and on this second occasion, Lee Moore also spoke to the Bar about secondary and vicarious trauma, and a self-care plan for barristers. The audience had doubled in size no doubt due to the impressive list of judicial speakers. Under the leadership of the resident judge, it was clear that judges at Wood Green were willing to help the Bar on listing where possible, lunchtime catering at court if ordered in the morning and even a willingness to deal with mentions by telephone at a time convenient to counsel (provided it was not due to an order having been breached).

The third event took place in July 2018 with judges from Luton and St Albans. Four judges were all willing to share their thoughts on wellbeing and all were excellent speakers.

Feedback from the events has been extremely positive and has encouraged us to continue these events. Our aim is to try to invite judges willing to speak and support these events from different court centres. The perspective of judges is a different one to the Bar and all those judges who have spoken have been generous with their words of wisdom and advice on wellbeing.

What have I taken away personally from the events?

The necessity to make my working environment as aesthetically pleasing as possible. This can be a challenge in a public building, but it was possible with the addition of a small orchid in the room we were using at court for our case. Reminding myself that the ‘great outdoors’ is a source of inspiration and a good stress reliever means I am continuing to try to spend time gardening.

I have found a shared recognition that barristers and Judges are all human and subject to human frailties. Each event may only plant one seed, but that seed may cause change resulting in a small improvement for audience members and their wellbeing.

Valerie Charbit is the South Eastern Circuit representative on the Wellbeing at the Bar Working Group. She has experience of a wide range of complex cases and her practice involves prosecuting and defending in equal measure. She has a broad ranging regulatory practice involving professional disciplinary and health and safety cases. She has particular specialism in cases involving vulnerable witnesses and the cross-examination of experts. She also sits as a part-time judge for the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health).

Seminars & Events