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The Bar has made progress towards becoming a profession ‘of all and for all’, but real challenges remain, writes the Chairman
The Bar of the 21st century?
It is a Bar that aspires to be ‘of all and for all’. ‘For all’ in the sense of a profession which represents all without favour or preference. This is to some extent embodied in the cab rank rule. That this remains at the heart of the profession is clear. More challenging are the very real issues surrounding accessibility to the Bar and the courts, partly at least as a result of the radical denuding of our legal aid system and the introduction of enhanced court fees.
But here I want to focus on ‘of all’, meaning a Bar where anyone of ability can establish a practice and, with hard work and good luck – both of which are usually required – do so successfully, irrespective of background, age, race, religion, sex, disability and sexuality. It is important that the Bar is, in fact, such a profession. When I came to the Bar there was relatively little discussion about these matters. I was told in pupillage (back in 1992), that the Bar was about excellence and quality, a meritocracy. In this sense it was assumed to be a profession open to all. This view, perhaps, demonstrates an earlier lack of understanding of the barriers faced by many seeking to join our profession. Today things are much improved, but it would be naïve to assume that no barriers remain.
I am proud that on the whole this is a profession which values individuals and ability above all else, and that with this comes largely a good dose of tolerance. But I also know that, in common with other professions, there remain real challenges. For example, retention of women remains a concern as highlighted in last year’s gender research conducted by the Bar Council (Snapshot: the experience of self-employed women at the Bar). Similarly, professional progression of black and ethnic minority (BAME) barristers remains an area where much improvement is still needed.
We are working closely with government, the judiciary and the other professional bodies to explore options to tackle this issue. Heavy university and BPTC debt, combined with the decimation of legal aid, threaten to reverse much good work on social mobility. Other challenges are more subtle and revolve around ensuring that the Bar, and those who work with us, including clerks and practice managers, facilitate an inclusive environment.
I participated in a recent FreeBar event in Birmingham, a new forum focused on LGBT+ people working at, and for, the Bar; a network of chambers, employers and individuals seeking to ensure that at the Bar, ‘Acceptance without Exception’ is real, tangible and a shared experience from the most junior to the most senior. Encouragingly, amongst the speakers was an eloquent junior barrister of a couple years’ call who stated that being openly bisexual at the Bar had for him, thus far, been a ‘non-issue’ and his experience had been ‘non eventful’. This is as it should be and I believe reflects much of the Bar. But I have also had people talk to me whose experiences were less positive, and in some individual cases shocking for the 21st century.
The Bar is not immune from thoughtless chatter and, occasionally, more serious and substantial problems and the Bar Council is clear on its role in providing support and advice to the profession.
A new offer of ‘Advanced E&D’ training, designed particularly for equality and diversity officers (EDOs) and those with a management role in chambers, includes training on the Bar Standards Board rules, fair treatment, policy development and complaints handling. It is proving popular. In addition, we run an active EDO network enabling those with management responsibility in chambers the opportunity to share good practice and experiences in tackling harassment and in supporting parental leave, flexible working, family and other career breaks. And of course, we are working in partnership with the Inns, Circuits and Specialist Bar Associations, to deliver wellbeing resources from September 2016, with launch events to be rolled out across all the Circuits. Please look out for these.
It is important that as a profession, and as individuals, we take responsibility for ensuring that the environment and the communities in which we work are tolerant and supportive of all, and enable talented, ambitious, aspiring barristers to be themselves, and to thrive. It means, as the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association said recently at the CBA dinner in the context of mental health week, looking out for each other. Or put differently, not taking each other for granted.
Contributor Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, Chairman of the Bar
Chantal-Aimée Doerries KC is the Head of Atkin Chambers and was 2016 Chair of the Bar of England and Wales.
The Bar of the 21st century?
It is a Bar that aspires to be ‘of all and for all’. ‘For all’ in the sense of a profession which represents all without favour or preference. This is to some extent embodied in the cab rank rule. That this remains at the heart of the profession is clear. More challenging are the very real issues surrounding accessibility to the Bar and the courts, partly at least as a result of the radical denuding of our legal aid system and the introduction of enhanced court fees.
But here I want to focus on ‘of all’, meaning a Bar where anyone of ability can establish a practice and, with hard work and good luck – both of which are usually required – do so successfully, irrespective of background, age, race, religion, sex, disability and sexuality. It is important that the Bar is, in fact, such a profession. When I came to the Bar there was relatively little discussion about these matters. I was told in pupillage (back in 1992), that the Bar was about excellence and quality, a meritocracy. In this sense it was assumed to be a profession open to all. This view, perhaps, demonstrates an earlier lack of understanding of the barriers faced by many seeking to join our profession. Today things are much improved, but it would be naïve to assume that no barriers remain.
I am proud that on the whole this is a profession which values individuals and ability above all else, and that with this comes largely a good dose of tolerance. But I also know that, in common with other professions, there remain real challenges. For example, retention of women remains a concern as highlighted in last year’s gender research conducted by the Bar Council (Snapshot: the experience of self-employed women at the Bar). Similarly, professional progression of black and ethnic minority (BAME) barristers remains an area where much improvement is still needed.
We are working closely with government, the judiciary and the other professional bodies to explore options to tackle this issue. Heavy university and BPTC debt, combined with the decimation of legal aid, threaten to reverse much good work on social mobility. Other challenges are more subtle and revolve around ensuring that the Bar, and those who work with us, including clerks and practice managers, facilitate an inclusive environment.
I participated in a recent FreeBar event in Birmingham, a new forum focused on LGBT+ people working at, and for, the Bar; a network of chambers, employers and individuals seeking to ensure that at the Bar, ‘Acceptance without Exception’ is real, tangible and a shared experience from the most junior to the most senior. Encouragingly, amongst the speakers was an eloquent junior barrister of a couple years’ call who stated that being openly bisexual at the Bar had for him, thus far, been a ‘non-issue’ and his experience had been ‘non eventful’. This is as it should be and I believe reflects much of the Bar. But I have also had people talk to me whose experiences were less positive, and in some individual cases shocking for the 21st century.
The Bar is not immune from thoughtless chatter and, occasionally, more serious and substantial problems and the Bar Council is clear on its role in providing support and advice to the profession.
A new offer of ‘Advanced E&D’ training, designed particularly for equality and diversity officers (EDOs) and those with a management role in chambers, includes training on the Bar Standards Board rules, fair treatment, policy development and complaints handling. It is proving popular. In addition, we run an active EDO network enabling those with management responsibility in chambers the opportunity to share good practice and experiences in tackling harassment and in supporting parental leave, flexible working, family and other career breaks. And of course, we are working in partnership with the Inns, Circuits and Specialist Bar Associations, to deliver wellbeing resources from September 2016, with launch events to be rolled out across all the Circuits. Please look out for these.
It is important that as a profession, and as individuals, we take responsibility for ensuring that the environment and the communities in which we work are tolerant and supportive of all, and enable talented, ambitious, aspiring barristers to be themselves, and to thrive. It means, as the Chairman of the Criminal Bar Association said recently at the CBA dinner in the context of mental health week, looking out for each other. Or put differently, not taking each other for granted.
Contributor Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, Chairman of the Bar
The Bar has made progress towards becoming a profession ‘of all and for all’, but real challenges remain, writes the Chairman
Far-ranging month for the Chair of the Bar
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
Marie Law, Director of Toxicology at AlphaBiolabs, outlines the drug and alcohol testing options available for family law professionals, and how a new, free guide can help identify the most appropriate testing method for each specific case
In this wide-ranging interview, Professor Jo Delahunty KC, Family Law KC of the Year, talks to Anthony Inglese CB about the values that shaped her, the moment she found her vocation and, in an intensely personal call to arms, why time is running out for the legal aid Bar
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
Thomas Roe KC and Andrew O’Kola respond to an article by Dr Leonardo Raznovich (Counsel , October 2025) – ‘Privy Council colonialism? Piercing the constitutional veil’
Chair of the Bar reports back
The client’s best interests could be well-served by sharing the advocacy with junior counsel more often than you might think – Naomi Cunningham and Charlotte Eves explore some less orthodox ways to divide the speaking role
