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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.
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
Endometriosis Awareness North, a charity raising awareness of endometriosis and supporting those affected across the North of England, has received a £500 boost from AlphaBiolabs via the company’s Giving Back initiative
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, examines the most recent data on alcohol misuse in the UK, and the implications for alcohol testing in family proceedings
Clement Cowley, Partner at The Penny Group, explains how tailored financial planning can help barristers take control of their finances and plan with confidence
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs
A £500 donation from AlphaBiolabs has been made to the leading UK charity tackling international parental child abduction and the movement of children across international borders
Seeing the full picture – Baljit Ubhey OBE outlines the CPS action plan to tackle violence against women and girls, offering insights directly relevant to courtroom practice
Heritage as an anchor and a compass, finding our common humanity and embracing the power of the outsider – Melina Antoniadis’s lessons learnt
Is the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office process fit for purpose? Women barristers’ experiences of bullying are not being reported or, if they are, they are not making it through the system, says Tana Adkin KC
Review by Daniel Barnett
Chair of the Bar reports back
