I need help
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.
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.
These resources have been designed specifically for those who have completed their BPTC and for pupils up to tenancy.
Resources
Guidance on how to introduce wellbeing policies and initiatives and on tackling a wellbeing issue in chambers.
Examples of successful wellbeing initiatives adopted by chambers, Specialist Bar Associations and the Inns of Court.
Support
Who to talk to, how to get help in coping with the pressures and demands of life at the Bar.
Who to talk to and how to get help, resources are for clerks and staff themselves.
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.
The confidential 24/7 helpline with access to counselling for barristers, pupils, clerks and chambers’ staff.
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Wellbeing at the Bar aims to:
- Provide barristers and chambers’ personnel with the information and skills they need in order to stay well
- Support members of the profession through difficulties that affect a barrister’s professional life
- Provide assistance to those responsible for or who are supporting those in difficulty or crisis
Rachel Spearing, co-founder of the Wellbeing at the Bar programme explains what we hope to achieve.
The information and resource packs on this website are designed to help you and your colleagues to work as a community for better wellbeing and professional resilience. If you want to provide feedback on these resources, or to get involved in promoting wellbeing please get in touch.
It can be difficult to make a living from law and it can be pressurised and demanding. Competition and an adversarial approach to everything can make collegiate relationships difficult. This website aims to provide you with the knowledge to manage these stressors, make emotionally informed, wise professional decisions and thrive in your chosen profession.
A simple expression that sums up wellbeing is ‘travelling well’
1 in 3 barristers find it difficult to control or stop worrying
Contacts at the Bar
Individuals on the circuits and in the following organisations can provide information on what they are doing to support barrister and clerks’ wellbeing. Please contact them for information on events or to provide feedback about what more we can do to promote wellbeing at the Bar.
| Circuit | Contact |
|---|---|
| Northern Circuit | Lorraine Cavanagh KC:Lorraine.Cavanagh@stjohnsbuildings.co.uk |
| North Eastern Circuit | |
| Midland Circuit | |
| South Eastern Circuit | Nicola Shannon KC: nshannon@furnivallaw.co.uk |
| Western Circuit | |
| Wales & Chester Circuit |
| Association | Contact |
| The Bar Association for Commerce, Finance & Industry | Shameem Purdasy: misp@hotmail.com |
| Bar European Group | Nina Caplin: Nina.Caplin@farrer.co.uk |
| Chancery Bar Association | Gary Blaker KC: gary.blaker@selbornechambers.co.uk |
| Council of the Inns of Court | Lynda Gibbs KC: lgibbs@icca.ac.uk |
| Criminal Bar Association | Gerwyn Wise: gerwynw@gclaw.co.uk |
| The European Circuit | Anneli Howard KC: AHoward@monckton.com |
| Administrative Law Bar Association | |
| Court of Protection Bar Association | |
| Family Law Bar Association | Victoria Wilson: v.wilson@goldsmithchambers.com |
| Intellectual Property Bar | Charlotte May KC: charlotte.may@8newsquare.co.uk |
| London Common Law and Commercial Bar Association | Oliver Caplin KC: ocaplin@twentyessex.com |
| Legal Practice Management Association | Mat Swallow: MatSwallow@blackstonechambers.com |
| Personal Injury Bar Association | Sarah Lambert KC: Sarah.Lambert@1cor.com |
| Planning and Environmental Bar Association | Mark Beard: mark.beard@6pumpcourt.co.uk |
| Professional Negligence Bar Association | |
| Employment Law Bar Association |
| Institute | Contact |
|---|---|
| Institute of Barristers’ Clerks | Lucy Burrows: lburrows@3vb.com |
| Bar | Contact |
|---|---|
| Bar Council | Sam Mercer: smercer@barcouncil.org.uk & Mariam Diaby: mdiaby@barcouncil.org.uk |
| Young Bar | Anushka Kangesu:akangesu@3djb.co.uk |
| Employed Bar | |
| Inns of Court | Contact |
|---|---|
| Inner | David Miller: DMiller@innertemple.org.uk |
| Middle | Laura Hacon: L.Hacon@middletemple.org.uk |
| Gray’s | Stephen Innes: S.Innes@4newsquare.com
Jasmine Mead: jasmine.mead@graysinn.org.uk |
| Lincoln’s | Linda Turnbull: l.turnbull@goldsmithchambers.com |