Welcome to your April wellbeing spotlight
Each month we’ll put a spotlight on wellbeing news, thoughts, events and support from across the Bar and further afield:
Spotlight – Pupils positive about pupillage with incidents of bullying and harassment falling but disabled and second six pupils more negative, survey finds
More than 80% of pupil barristers said their overall experience of pupillage was positive, according to a survey published today.
The Bar Council’s annual pupil survey – answered by 30% of all pupils – found 83% had an overall positive pupillage experience while more than half (56%) described it as ‘very positive’.
For the first time this year, the Bar’s representative body asked pupils about the induction process at the start of their pupillage. Most (77%) said they were satisfied with it.
However, disabled pupils were more negative about both their induction and their pupillage more broadly, particularly those who are neurodivergent. Just under a third of disabled pupils were unhappy with their overall experience (compared to 13% of those without a disability).
Bar Council Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said: “The Bar is a wonderful profession, as demonstrated by many of the positive responses we received to this survey. It’s vital that our junior colleagues and aspiring barristers are supported along the pathway to and into the Bar. The Bar Council seeks to do this. One focus of mine is improving access to practice for barristers with disabilities, seen and unseen, and those who are neurodivergent.
“We recently published a new neurodiversity guide with advice for chambers and pupils, and we will continue to work closely with chambers using the findings of this and previous surveys, to ensure that our pupils have a strong and positive a start at the Bar. Fundamentally, there is no place for bullying and harassment at the Bar, and I am determined to work alongside the new Commissioner for Conduct to stamp out these behaviours. Crucially, being a barrister is an excellent, important and rewarding career.”
News
City lawyers commit investment to mental health charity
City lawyers have announced a three-year strategic partnership with LawCare in a bid to tackle rising mental health problems in the profession and improve working practices.
The City of London Law Society and the City of London Solicitors’ Company have committed to a combined investment of £45,000 to the work of the mental health charity, which provides free, confidential support to those working in the legal profession.
New outdoor scheme in Scotland to boost lawyers wellbeing
A new nature-based training scheme is helping legal professionals gain Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours while supporting their mental health.
Wild CPD was designed by former solicitor Clare Stephen to meet mandatory CPD requirements while aiming to improve mental health, reduce stress and support professional performance through green health activities.
Lawyers see “sea change” in attitude to mental health support
With legal professionals facing a world of ever-growing case volume and complexity, there has been a “sea change” in how practitioners approach counselling and support services, but the structure of the legal profession as a whole needs to continue being reviewed, a Law Society of Ireland director has said.
Thoughts
- Dr Natasha Shotunde, Black Barrister’s Network co-founder reflects on the realities of living with an invisible disability and the cost of being strong in Counsel Magazine
- Mark Evans, President of the Law Society of England and Wales, talks about how running supports his wellbeing as he prepares to run the London Marathon
- Barrister Louise Corfield, who sits on the Equality and Diversity Committee at No5 Chambers, explores the wellbeing impact of fertility issues and what actions can be taken to better support people
Events
Let’s talk about difficult conversations at work – Thursday 14 May
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, join the team at LawCare to explore how to handle difficult conversations with colleagues, managers, teams and clients through a free webinar.
Supporting performance by preventing moral injury – Tuesday 2 June
As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, join the team at LawCare to explore how to handle difficult conversations with colleagues, managers, teams and clients through a free webinar.
Support
Got a wellbeing event coming up? Want to share your story? Contact us