Welcome to your July wellbeing spotlight

Each month we’ll put a spotlight on wellbeing news, thoughts, events and support from across the Bar and further afield:

Spotlight – New agreement signed in next step to tackling bullying and harassment

This month we’re spotlighting the work of the Bar Council’s Commissioner for Conduct, who alongside the Lady Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals has signed an agreement to overcome barriers to reporting bullying, harassment, discrimination and exclusionary behaviour in court.

The new agreement means the Commissioner for Conduct can better support barristers through liaison with Lady Justice Whipple. Under the agreement, the Commissioner can deal with informal complaints about judges on behalf of barristers, acting as an intermediary.

Issues can be raised to the Commissioner Dame Maria Miller and her team via Talk to Spot, the confidential reporting tool for those working in and around the Bar, and she can now take complaints forward under the judiciary’s new protocol (published today) to support legal professionals who wish to raise concerns informally about judicial behaviour.

Dame Maria Miller said: “The agreement sets out a shared commitment that courtrooms are a place of respect and courtesy and will help make sure reports to the Commissioner about judicial behaviour can be taken forward in an appropriate way.”

Dame Maria Miller, Commissioner for Conduct at the Bar Council

News

Pulse of the Profession: Wellbeing in the Law – The Verdict from Solicitors

The Solicitors’ Charity has revealed new insights into solicitor wellbeing following conversations, surveys and interviews conducted at this year’s London Legal Walk.

At this year’s London Legal Walk, we decided to hit the streets and ask our colleagues from across the legal profession a simple question: what does wellbeing look like today?

We wanted to take the temperature on how people were feeling and the results were fascinating. Through our conversations with leaders, trainees and practitioners, alongside responses gathered through interviews, surveys and our Wheel of Wellbeing, a clear picture emerged.

People understand the importance of wellbeing more than ever before. Yet for many, turning that awareness into action remains a challenge.

Experts raise the alarm over rise in use of AI for mental health support over traditional services

Mental health charity Mind has raised concerns around the growing use of AI tools to support mental health, as people turn to AI chatbots over professional services.

New research released today by the charity has found that, among the one in five (18%) people who had used AI chatbots to support their mental health in the last 12 months, 3 in 5 (60%) used chatbots instead of more formal support like NHS talking therapies.

These findings suggest that while more people are turning to AI as a source of mental health support and receiving what they need in that moment, many may be doing so without the safeguarding protections available through regulated services.

Thoughts

• • Kirsty Brimelow KC, Chair of the Bar Council, discusses wellbeing and legal aid in conversation with Young Legal Aid Lawyers
  • Dr Natalie Isaia, Clinical Psychologist and CEO & Founder of Empresa Psychology, discusses how to mitigate the risk of moral injury in your firm for LawCare
  • Lewis Silkin partner Sally Hulston and head of wellbeing Mark Jones discuss how they built their firm’s culture of wellbeing for the Law Society
  • Patrick McCann, CEO of the City of London Law Society, explores the future of the legal profession, including improving senses of purpose and wellbeing, on the Legally Speaking Podcast

Events

Let’s talk about regret webinar – Thursday 17 September

LawCare hosts a free webinar exploring regret in the legal sector, how it can affect wellbeing and confidence, and why it can be hard to stop replaying decisions, mistakes and “what ifs”.

Tackling harassment, bullying and inappropriate behaviours – Thursday 17 September

The Bar Council is hosting a two-hour anti-harassment training session designed to deepen your understanding and awareness of harassment, bullying, and inappropriate behaviour. The training will be held in-person at New Park Court Chambers in Leeds.

Support 

• BRF subscribers can access 24/7 GP access for them and their families – Find out how to sign up to DoctorLine
• Assistance Programme – Wellbeing at the Bar
• More details on helplines and support available for the Bar
• Helpline, online chat and email support from LawCare

Got a wellbeing event coming up? Want to share your story? Contact us