Welcome to your October wellbeing spotlight
Each month we’ll put a spotlight on wellbeing news, thoughts, events and support from across the Bar and further afield:
Spotlight
Nearly 60% of respondents reported poor mental wellbeing in LawCare’s latest Life in the Law report.
Chair of the Bar Council Barbara Mills KC told The Global Legal Post that the data from the report shows how important it is improve the culture and embed proactive wellbeing practices across the sector.
She said: “We need to take wellbeing to the next level across the legal profession; changing attitudes and ensuring it becomes a core part of successful practice.
“I am delighted to be hosting an event in London on November 13 to put further focus on this important topic. Amongst a wider discussion, I will be sharing the latest Barristers’ Working Lives wellbeing data, giving updates on our reflective practice pilots and we also have a practical advice session from leading experts.”
Book your place at this year’s Chairs’ event on the Bar Council website.
You can read the full report on the LawCare website.
News
Reopening Crown court canteens on the menu for new wellbeing organisation
Reopening all Crown court canteens, town hall events and professional development support – these are just some of the objectives for a new grassroots organisation set up to improve the physical and mental wellbeing of practitioners working in the criminal justice system.
Legally Lifelong started out as an idea by Serious Fraud Office paralegal Morwenna Hocken and aspiring barrister Lucy Fegan-Earl, with pupil barrister Tochi Ejimofo joining shortly afterwards.
The trio hosted a launch event in central London attended by dozens of lawyers, including Bar Council chair Barbara Mills KC, who described Legally Lifelong as more than just an initiative, ‘it’s a movement’.
Doing nothing “is a legitimate strategy for lawyers”
Doing nothing is “a legitimate strategy” for lawyers which “maintains focus on key objectives and avoids burnout”, the founder of alternative legal services provider LOD (Lawyers on Demand) has argued.
Writing in the LOD report Overcoming Overwhelm with organisational psychologist Barbara Patchen, Simon Harper said lawyers tended to think that “covering as many bases as possible means that we’re doing our jobs better”, whether it was one more clause, email or meeting… By keeping it simple, we not only reduce feelings of overwhelm but also reveal root causes and avoid blind spots.”
Thoughts
- Children law barrister James Cleary volunteered to become a wellbeing officer on the Midland Circuit after he saw the consequences of the job pressures on colleagues. Last month he organised a wellbeing event, focused on men, to encourage discussion about the impact on mental and physical health, and for senior members to offer practical advice for dealing with stress. Read his blog.
- Chair and Vice Chair of the Young Barristers’ Commitee, Lachlan Stewart and Amelia Clegg share their tips and advice for looking after wellbeing during pupillage
Events
Resilience at the Bar – A conversation with Heidi Stonecliffe KC – Wednesday 22 October
The South Eastern Circuit is hosting an online talk on resilience in legal practice delivered by Heidi Stonecliffe KC, who is incoming Vice Chair of the Bar Council for 2026.
Let’s talk about Life in the Law 2025 webinar – Wednesday 12 November
Join LawCare’s webinar to hear about their latest research on mental health and wellbeing across the legal profession.
Support
- Help a colleague – 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