*/
Profession
Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, in his keynote speech welcomed the opportunity which the Bar Council Disability Conference gave to play an important part ‘in enabling chambers and individual barristers to learn from’ examples of ‘reasonable adjustments which lawyers in general, and members of the Bar in particular, should be making so as to render access to justice properly accessible for all’.
Speaking on 31 October, he praised the anti-discrimination laws as a ‘shining example of why the exception to the general rule [that changes in the law should be slow and restrained] exists and why it is so important’. Such legislation should also be welcomed ‘because in many cases, it has been ahead of public opinion. It has not only sent out a message about how people should behave, but it has made people behave properly’.
Lord Neuberger was concerned not just for the sake of lay clients but also for disabled barristers and the judiciary alike. ‘If the Bar is not open to all, that is unfair to some sections of society, and it means that the Bar is shut off to some of the most able people’. His desire to see awareness raised goes back to the Entry to the Bar Working Party report, which he chaired in 2007 and which then noted the relatively low level of awareness at the Bar of disability related issues. Conferences such as this and the new Equality and Diversity provisions in the Code of Conduct together with the legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 should help. The door must remain ‘firmly open, and that those who go through it remain inside, and become leading juniors, QCs and ultimately members of the judiciary’. The pool of candidates for judicial office must be as wide as possible. ‘It is a matter of facilitating the development of a properly diverse judiciary.’
The 2007 Working Party had recommended compulsory equality and diversity training as part of CPD at the Bar. He would also like to see a renewed commitment and increased element of professional ethics at university and the Bar schools. In addition, it is ‘apparently that holistic approach across the entire legal profession is needed’ to arrive at a common standard and common approach to mentoring.
The group which numbered 70 then took part in four workshops, dealing with sight impairments, mental health, hearing impairments and developing chambers’ reasonable adjustment policies. The emphasis was on offering practical advice in dealing with visually or hearing impaired clients, defendants or witnesses in court as well as staff, pupils or tenants. Rachel Spearing of Pump Court chambers and Emma Mamo of MIND outlined the advice in the Mental Health Toolkit for advocates who prosecute or defend, and discussed scenarios for dealing with mental health issues arising in chambers and with workplace mental distress.
There was also a presentation from LAWCARE which offers services for the Bar with a focus on stress recognition and management and the implications of stress management for practice and fitness to practise issues.
The latter workshop stimulated the most discussion in the plenary session, where it was felt that the stigma around the issues of mental breakdown in chambers was so great that it was not possible - short of a much-needed change in culture - to deal with them early and fully enough to make a difference.
Speaking on 31 October, he praised the anti-discrimination laws as a ‘shining example of why the exception to the general rule [that changes in the law should be slow and restrained] exists and why it is so important’. Such legislation should also be welcomed ‘because in many cases, it has been ahead of public opinion. It has not only sent out a message about how people should behave, but it has made people behave properly’.
Lord Neuberger was concerned not just for the sake of lay clients but also for disabled barristers and the judiciary alike. ‘If the Bar is not open to all, that is unfair to some sections of society, and it means that the Bar is shut off to some of the most able people’. His desire to see awareness raised goes back to the Entry to the Bar Working Party report, which he chaired in 2007 and which then noted the relatively low level of awareness at the Bar of disability related issues. Conferences such as this and the new Equality and Diversity provisions in the Code of Conduct together with the legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010 should help. The door must remain ‘firmly open, and that those who go through it remain inside, and become leading juniors, QCs and ultimately members of the judiciary’. The pool of candidates for judicial office must be as wide as possible. ‘It is a matter of facilitating the development of a properly diverse judiciary.’
The 2007 Working Party had recommended compulsory equality and diversity training as part of CPD at the Bar. He would also like to see a renewed commitment and increased element of professional ethics at university and the Bar schools. In addition, it is ‘apparently that holistic approach across the entire legal profession is needed’ to arrive at a common standard and common approach to mentoring.
The group which numbered 70 then took part in four workshops, dealing with sight impairments, mental health, hearing impairments and developing chambers’ reasonable adjustment policies. The emphasis was on offering practical advice in dealing with visually or hearing impaired clients, defendants or witnesses in court as well as staff, pupils or tenants. Rachel Spearing of Pump Court chambers and Emma Mamo of MIND outlined the advice in the Mental Health Toolkit for advocates who prosecute or defend, and discussed scenarios for dealing with mental health issues arising in chambers and with workplace mental distress.
There was also a presentation from LAWCARE which offers services for the Bar with a focus on stress recognition and management and the implications of stress management for practice and fitness to practise issues.
The latter workshop stimulated the most discussion in the plenary session, where it was felt that the stigma around the issues of mental breakdown in chambers was so great that it was not possible - short of a much-needed change in culture - to deal with them early and fully enough to make a difference.
Profession
Lord Neuberger, President of the Supreme Court, in his keynote speech welcomed the opportunity which the Bar Council Disability Conference gave to play an important part ‘in enabling chambers and individual barristers to learn from’ examples of ‘reasonable adjustments which lawyers in general, and members of the Bar in particular, should be making so as to render access to justice properly accessible for all’.
As we look ahead to Justice Week 2022, the sustainability of the Criminal Bar remains a critical issue for the government to address
Opportunity for female sopranos/contraltos in secondary education, or who have recently finished secondary education but have not yet begun tertiary education. Eligibility includes children of members of the Bar
Fear of the collection and test process is a common factor among clients, especially among vulnerable adults in complex family law cases. Cansford Laboratories shares some tips to help the testing process run as smoothly as possible
Casey Randall explains how complex relationship DNA tests can best be used – and interpreted – by counsel
Casey Randall, Head of DNA at AlphaBiolabs, explores what barristers need to know about DNA testing for immigration, including when a client might wish to submit DNA evidence, and which relationship tests are best for immigration applications
Julian Morgan reminds barristers of the top five areas to consider before 5 April
The case ofR v Brecanihas complicated matters for defence lawyers. Emma Fielding talks to gang culture expert, Dr Simon Harding about County Lines, exploitation and modern slavery
Barristers are particularly at risk of burnout because of the nature of our work and our approach to it but it doesnt have to be this way. Jade Bucklow explores how culture, work and lifestyle changes can rejuvinate our mental health...
Professionally embarrassed? The circumstances in which criminal barristers may return instructions to appear at trial have become clearer following the Court of Appeal judgment inR v Daniels By Abigail Bright
The Schools Consent Project (SCP) is educating tens of thousands of teenagers about the law around consent to challenge and change what is now endemic behaviour. Here, its founder, barrister Kate Parker talks to Chris Henley QC about SCPs work and its association with Jodie Comers West End playPrima Facie, in which she plays a criminal barrister who is sexually assaulted
Following the launch of the Life at the Young Bar report and a nationwide listening exercise, Michael Polak and Michael Harwood outline the Young Barristers Committees raft of initiatives designed to address your issues of concern