Welcome to your August wellbeing spotlight
Each month we’ll put a spotlight on wellbeing news, thoughts, events and support from across the Bar and further afield:
Spotlight
Wellbeing Certificate applications now open
Applications for the October round of our Certificate of Recognition programme are now open.
Whether you are a chambers, SBA, Circuit, Inn of Court, Bar Course provider or AETO, this is your opportunity to showcase your good practice and gain recognition for supporting wellbeing at the Bar.
Certificates are valid for three years, and both new applicants and those who have previously obtained a certificate are encouraged to apply in this round.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday 30 September. Find application guidance and forms on the Wellbeing at the Bar website.
News
Judges celebrate first International Day for Judicial Wellbeing
The Nauru Declaration on judicial wellbeing was adopted at a conference in 2024 and 25 July was declared International Day of Judicial Wellbeing.
Her Honour Judge Kalyani Kaul KC, a circuit judge in England and Wales and founder of the Judicial Support Network (JSN), helped draft the Nauru Declaration.
She said: ‘I never expected our project to reach the UN General Assembly, and it was the proudest moment of my life to be there, when the vote was taken, and to know that the JSN played a part in sharing our experiences with senior judges all over the world.”
Thoughts
- To mark South Asian Heritage Month, family law barrister Baldip Singh spoke to attendees about the unique pressures experienced by lawyers from ethnic minority backgrounds and shared his advice for protecting wellbeing
- Solicitor and psychologist Lucinda Soon shares her thoughts on why wellbeing of judges is ‘inextricably linked to institutional accountability, the rule of law, and the quality of justice delivered to society.’
- Get eight recommendations for reading or listening to this summer on the topics of wellbeing and career success in this month’s Counsel magazine
Events
Male wellbeing at the Bar – Thursday 11 September
The Midland Circuit’s Equality Diversity and Social Mobility team is hosting a hybrid event focused on male wellbeing with speakers including Sam Skinner KC, Tim Bowe KC and Nick O’Neill.
The event will take place in person at St Ives Chambers in Birmingham with drinks and nibbles. Please indicate on the registration form if you wish attend remotely.
Register on the Midland Circuit’s website.
Introducing Baroness Harman’s report on bullying and harassment at the Bar – 17 September
Baroness Harman’s independent report on bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar is due to be published in early September.
In this webinar Baroness Harman will introduce her report and talk through her findings and recommendations. Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC and Baroness Harman will also answer your questions.
Book your free place on the Bar Council website
Support
- Bullying – Wellbeing at the Bar
- GP access for you and your family – DoctorLine
- Self-care and managing stress and building resilience | Mind
Got a wellbeing event coming up? Want to share your story? Contact us