Congratulations to all of the chambers, circuits and Inns of Court who have received a certificate through the relaunched Bar Council Wellbeing Certificate programme. Sam Mercer, Head of Equality at the Bar Council, said: “We are delighted to award the new Wellbeing Certificates in recognition for outstanding work to improve wellbeing at the Bar. […]
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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News
World Mental Health Day 2023
World Mental Health Day 2023 The Mindful Business Charter Amongst litigators, one of the complaints I hear most often is that for all the fine words spoken about the importance of wellbeing, these are all too easily jettisoned when it comes to the crunch in contested proceedings: everyone has the best intentions, but they get […]
Prioritising Wellbeing at the Bar: Introducing the new Wellbeing at the Bar Leaders film 2023
Take a closer look at our recent video, featuring insights from Bar leaders about challenges, and avenues of support for Bar members and their professional peers. The Bar Council, and leaders across the Bar emphasise the significance of prioritising wellbeing. The film features Nick Vineall KC (Chair of the Bar Council), Michelle Heeley KC (Leader […]
It’s time to talk about periods
It’s time to talk about periods. After years of experiencing painful and irregular periods, being caught short in the workplace is an experience I and many others are all too familiar with. This frustration very quickly turned into ambitions to eradicate this statistic, to improve the availability of period products in the workplace and […]
New Wellbeing Certificate of Recognition Launch
Five years into the Wellbeing at the Bar programme, efforts to support barristers’ and employees’ wellbeing through the Pandemic and beyond have highlighted just how far we have come. The place of ‘Wellbeing’ in our work culture and our understanding of it has also changed. It is, rightly, no longer seen as a luxury but […]
IBC Podcast: Wellbeing at the Bar
The Institute of Barristers’ Clerks (IBC) are currently celebrating their 100 year centenary, as part of which they have recorded a series of podcasts covering the work done by their members. The latest podcast has just been released which focuses on Wellbeing. Those being interviewed on the podcast are Rachel Spearing and Nick Hill. […]
Eradicating the flaws of previous generations and encouraging a healthy and trauma-informed practice
Teaching Bar students to become competent barristers is a huge responsibility. It goes far beyond the skills and knowledge subjects that all good Bar Providers deliver. At the ICCA, we set out to introduce competences that we hope will prepare students fully for what lies ahead. At the same time, we are ever mindful of […]
A barrister and a clerk in conversation about wellbeing …
This blog is partly a tribute to one of my clerks, Nancy, who has been a real champion of wellbeing in chambers. It also contains some musings from the two of us about how to have conversations in chambers about wellbeing. At the beginning of last year, I felt completely overwhelmed by events in in […]