*/
Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar (BDABar) is an organisation led by and for disabled aspiring barristers. This group aims to increase access, diversity, and inclusion at the Bar and to raise awareness about disabilities. In July 2022, BDABar launched its Two-Way Mentorship Scheme in a hybrid event hosted at the Inner Temple, which recorded 110 registered attendees.
The Two-Way Mentorship Scheme has two main objectives. First and foremost, this programme improves access to practising barristers for aspiring disabled barristers in order to facilitate insight into the profession as well as guidance in their pursuit of a career at the Bar. Secondly, BDABar will give the opportunity for barristers, and their Chambers or employers, to gain insight into the numerous challenges that disabled individuals may face in the course of joining the Bar. While the mentees have discretion on whether to share their lived experience with their mentors, BDABar hopes that engagement with the scheme will improve the profession’s knowledge of disabilities through training.
Mentees are between their first year of their undergraduate degree up through pupillage and they must identify as disabled. Each mentor is paired with up to two mentees. The scheme is in operation from 1 August 2022 and will end on 1 June 2023, when BDABar will open applications for the next intake of participants.
Through this programme, BDABar hopes to build a dialogue about disabilities, accessibility, and reasonable adjustments as well as an evaluation of the support currently available at the Bar for disabled individuals. Where support is lacking, mentors and their chambers or employers may learn how to better engage with not only disabled aspiring barristers but the disabled community more generally. Together, we can break down barriers in the journey towards the Bar.
Konstantina Nouka is Chair and Founder of Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar.
Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar (BDABar) is an organisation led by and for disabled aspiring barristers. This group aims to increase access, diversity, and inclusion at the Bar and to raise awareness about disabilities. In July 2022, BDABar launched its Two-Way Mentorship Scheme in a hybrid event hosted at the Inner Temple, which recorded 110 registered attendees.
The Two-Way Mentorship Scheme has two main objectives. First and foremost, this programme improves access to practising barristers for aspiring disabled barristers in order to facilitate insight into the profession as well as guidance in their pursuit of a career at the Bar. Secondly, BDABar will give the opportunity for barristers, and their Chambers or employers, to gain insight into the numerous challenges that disabled individuals may face in the course of joining the Bar. While the mentees have discretion on whether to share their lived experience with their mentors, BDABar hopes that engagement with the scheme will improve the profession’s knowledge of disabilities through training.
Mentees are between their first year of their undergraduate degree up through pupillage and they must identify as disabled. Each mentor is paired with up to two mentees. The scheme is in operation from 1 August 2022 and will end on 1 June 2023, when BDABar will open applications for the next intake of participants.
Through this programme, BDABar hopes to build a dialogue about disabilities, accessibility, and reasonable adjustments as well as an evaluation of the support currently available at the Bar for disabled individuals. Where support is lacking, mentors and their chambers or employers may learn how to better engage with not only disabled aspiring barristers but the disabled community more generally. Together, we can break down barriers in the journey towards the Bar.
The Bar Council is ready to support a turn to the efficiencies that will make a difference
By Louise Crush of Westgate Wealth Management
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the latest ONS data on drug misuse and its implications for toxicology testing in family law cases
An interview with Rob Wagg, CEO of New Park Court Chambers
What meaningful steps can you take in 2026 to advance your legal career? asks Thomas Cowan of St Pauls Chambers
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, explains why drugs may appear in test results, despite the donor denying use of them
Ever wondered what a pupillage is like at the CPS? This Q and A provides an insight into the training, experience and next steps
The appointments of 96 new King’s Counsel (also known as silk) are announced today
Ready for the new way to do tax returns? David Southern KC continues his series explaining the impact on barristers. In part 2, a worked example shows the specific practicalities of adapting to the new system
Resolution of the criminal justice crisis does not lie in reheating old ideas that have been roundly rejected before, say Ed Vickers KC, Faras Baloch and Katie Bacon
With pupillage application season under way, Laura Wright reflects on her route to ‘tech barrister’ and offers advice for those aiming at a career at the Bar
