Court Sitting Hours It must surely be obvious to anyone who takes a second to think about it that a barrister’s working day extends far further than the time they spend in a court room. Every case needs to be read in detail and carefully prepared. Trial strategies need to be planned, speeches written, applications […]
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
Wellbeing at the Bar blog: Nicholas Peacock
Every September, the PNBA holds a Clinical Negligence weekend conference for its members. We alternate between Oxford and Cambridge and usually have 90-100 members coming along for lectures over a couple of days, with a couple of dinners. Speakers are drawn from the medical and legal worlds. It’s a chance to learn from some people […]
Wellbeing at the Bar blog: Pushpinder Saini KC
20 years can change your life or how the internet revolution has upset my physical and mental wellbeing July 1997. A pleasant breakfast and say goodbye to my baby daughter. Catch the Central Line for the short trip from Lancaster Gate to Chancery Lane. Read a bit of novel (probably The God of Small Things) […]
Wellbeing at the Bar blog: Lynda Gibbs
The nature of the work at the Bar places heavy demands on time and patience and requires significant industry. The Bar is unique in that the working day starts early and ends late; there are few 9-5 days. Written advocacy must be crafted outside court hours and the careful thought processes that take place when […]
Wellbeing at the Bar blog: Calum Lamont
TECBAR runs an Occasional Mentoring Scheme for its members, pursuant to which junior lawyers are able to approach more senior members for guidance, help and support during the early years of practice. This reflects the position in many sets of chambers whose members are also members of TECBAR. Recently, a junior member of the construction […]
Wellbeing at the Bar blog: Cyrus Larizadeh KC & Victoria Wilson
WELLBEING AND BEING HIT BY A BUS ON THE WAY TO COURT by Cyrus Larizadeh KC and Victoria Wilson Cyrus Larizadeh KC of 4 PB: During my 24 year journey at the Bar, there have been times when I have felt very low and under extreme stress. So much so that on occasions it has […]
Wellbeing at the Bar blog: Rachel Crasnow KC
In mid-May the Employment Law Bar Association (ELBA) held its first Well-being event. Entitled “Keeping each other sane: tips for leading a happy legal life” it was billed as being a humorous yet introspective look at how to reduce the stressful parts of everyday working at the employment bar. We devised a panel comprising […]
Wellbeing at the Bar blog: Nicholas Hill
On Thursday evening of last week the IBC held the first of its seminars on wellbeing. My own championing of wellbeing is well known and when I became Chair of the IBC in March 2016 I set continuing education of wellbeing as one of my key aims. It’s quite tricky sometimes to know what is […]