I am a barrister. I am also a recovering alcoholic. For the first few years at the Bar my behaviour around drinking did not seem that different from many of my peers. There was the odd night of when I embarrassed myself through drunken behaviour or failed to make it into chambers the next day. […]
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 from a TECBAR perspective as told by Riaz Hussain KC
TECBAR, the Specialist Bar Association for employed or self-employed barristers who practise in the Technology and Construction Court, was founded in 1983 and now has 400 members. A TECBAR or construction related practice is intellectually and mentally challenging. A long building project will engender thousands of records; each of which may be the key to […]
Signs of eating disorders and what to look out for
[Article by Health Assured] Guide to Eating Disorders Very few people have a completely non-emotional relationship with food. For many, food is linked to feelings of comfort, reward, control or guilt. When stressful or emotional events occur in life it is common for eating habits to change. However, for some individuals an eating disorder can […]
Efe Avan-Nomayo talks about the benefits of RED (Running Every Day) January
Running on Empty It’s January and the office is returning to normal services after a period of Christmas fever. The cheesy decorations have come down, and the special Christmas jumper goes back into storage for another year. Personally, Christmas is a period that I normally dread. Putting aside the shorter days and colder nights, it’s […]
Wellbeing at the Bar: Our New Chair 2019
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 […]
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 […]