Plans for Wellbeing at the Bar in 2019 In 2019 I am chairing the Bar Council’s Wellbeing at the Bar (‘WATB’) Working Group. It would be impossible to start my time as chair in any way other than by paying tribute to the outgoing chair, and indeed our only chair to date, Rachel Spearing. Rachel […]
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: Reflections from the outgoing Chair
I am writing my final blog as chair of the working group in the last days of December, juggling festive planning in between deadlines and preparation of new trials for 2019, amid this panic and chaos I stop to write this blog! Pausing to take a breath and reflecting, prioritising the wellbeing blog deadline amongst […]
Wellbeing at the Bar: A clerk’s perspective (Arron Snipe)
Wellbeing at the Bar: A clerk’s perspective (Arron Snipe) When I was asked to write a blog on wellbeing from a clerking perspective for Wellbeing at the Bar (‘WATB’), my first thought was what on earth would I write about? With this being my first ever blog, I questioned whether I could share my personal […]
Learning to support yourself and others (Nina Caplin)
Learning to support yourself and others Since the inception of the Wellbeing at the Bar initiative in 2015, I have been greatly impressed at how quickly the issue of wellbeing has been embraced by the profession and those who work with barristers. In 2015 the Bar Council’s wellbeing survey indicated that 2 out of 3 […]
Giraffes and hyenas… A personal perspective (Theo Huckle KC)
Giraffes and hyenas… A personal perspective Don’t get me wrong. I am no David Attenborough. But when you’re invited to the Kruger Park in South Africa, it’s a bit hard to turn down. So, there I was a couple of weeks ago, driving from Johannesburg for 6 hours to get to the Phalaborwa Gate and […]
SRA v Sovani James: some reasons for optimism (Stephen Innes)
What the Divisional Court’s decision in SRA v Sovani James tells us about wellbeing for lawyers: some reasons for optimism This week the Administrative Court handed down judgment in three appeals by the Solicitors Regulation Authority: SRA v Sovani James, SRA v Esteddar MacGregor, SRA v Peter Naylor [2018] EWHC 3058 (Admin). Reactions to the […]
Wellbeing at Middle Temple
Middle Temple is fully committed to the “Wellbeing at the Bar” programme and following on from our successful Wellbeing Event in partnership with the South Eastern Circuit in July, as mentioned by Valerie Charbit in the August blog, the Inn continues to develop its Wellbeing programme with a number of new initiatives for the Michaelmas […]
Wellbeing at the Bar Blog: Kathy Wong
Bar Council: World Mental Health Day 2018 2018 was going to be an exciting year for me. I resolved to start the new year, a new me. Along with the new me, I started my new job at the Bar Council with a spiffing new project, Wellbeing at the Bar. I felt like the luckiest […]