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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Ways to deal with an excessive workload
Keep calm: As with all situations that cause you anxiety or stress, the key thing is to try to keep calm.
- Try immediately to relax: you may even find some deep breathing exercises useful
- Review what is causing you to feel overwhelmed.
- Are you being asked to do more than your set hours on a regular basis?
- Do you feel that you have more work than you can cope with?
- Are you being asked to do jobs that you perceive to be beyond your capabilities?
- Do you feel you are working harder than your colleagues?
These could all be signs of excessive workload. It could be a short term or a long terms problem.
If short term:
- Write a list of what you have to do
- Work out which have to be prioritised
- Work out which you can delegate
- Can you ask a friendly colleague for some help?
- Work out whether you can have an extension on any tasks
- Speak to your senior clerk or principal if you need a senior colleague’s assistance
- Recognise that it is a short term pressure and that things will get better
- Once the short term pressure has passed review what you can do to see whether you can avoid such clashes in the future
If long term:
- Write out a list of what you have to do
- Work out which have to be prioritised
- Work out which tasks you have to do and which can be delegated
- Can a colleague help you with them?
- For those that do not specifically require your input, think about who else can work on them
- Speak to your senior clerk or relevant manager and calmly explain that you have identified that you have too much to do
- Ask them for their support and help in assisting you to reduce the workload accordingly
Download information pack
If you would find it easier to read this content as a document, please download it here.
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’
2 in 3 barristers feel that showing signs of stress equals weakness