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Legal professionals face potentially traumatic events every day. This year’s Wellness Forum on 21 June turns to the military, police, medical services and CPS to learn how we can better manage the risks we face at the Bar
It is now well known that the content of the material being considered within our professional roles can present a risk of vicarious or secondary trauma. Other risks arise when practitioners themselves face conflict more directly, for example due to the rising number of litigants in person, with the cuts to public funding experienced in some areas of law.
We know from the data gathered during the 2015 Wellbeing at the Bar (WATB) research and more recent feedback from some specialist Bar associations, that the challenges faced by the profession in this area are increasing. The risks of burn out, and impact to our health, wellbeing, and quality of practice, are clearly evidenced in our own, and other front line services. Supporting the profession to understand and manage these risks is one of the priorities for Wellness for Law, a ‘not for profit’ organisation established to assist the working group of WATB in its objectives.
Wellness for Law will host this year’s forum on the theme of ‘Trauma Risk for Law’, thanks to the sponsorship of The Honourable Society of Inner Temple and the support of University College London’s Faculty of Law facilities at Bentham House.
Our keynote speaker is Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, who will speak on wellbeing including that of the judiciary. We will hear how those in front line service groups, from the military, police, medical, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, in addition to the Crown Prosecution Service, prepare and respond to the risks of trauma.
WATB wellbeing certificate recipients will present practical guides of the range of recent initiatives, across different practice areas, with practitioners, clinicians and professionals available for networking discussion, to ensure there will be something to learn for every practice group.
Interactive discussion with a Bar leadership panel and practical workshops to support the profession, and those working with the profession, will make the forum a helpful place for returning or new participants to share their concerns, or gain ideas.
After attending the 2018 forum, participants have:
100% of those who took the survey were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the organisation of the event; and 100% of those agreed that the content of the forum was ‘relevant’ or ‘very relevant’.
‘Thought-provoking content & a diverse mix.’ ‘Life (& practice) enhancing.’ ‘An inspiration to see what other chambers are doing.’
The Forum provides an opportunity for the profession to learn something of the challenges experienced by those identifying as LGBTQ. Research suggests that many individuals identifying in this group experience higher rates of discrimination and challenge to mental health. A presentation and panel discussion will consider these issues amongst the legal profession, with practical guidance for achieving more inclusive environments and safeguards for practitioners.
The Forum is open to everyone with an interest in supporting themselves or others with wellbeing:
It is now well known that the content of the material being considered within our professional roles can present a risk of vicarious or secondary trauma. Other risks arise when practitioners themselves face conflict more directly, for example due to the rising number of litigants in person, with the cuts to public funding experienced in some areas of law.
We know from the data gathered during the 2015 Wellbeing at the Bar (WATB) research and more recent feedback from some specialist Bar associations, that the challenges faced by the profession in this area are increasing. The risks of burn out, and impact to our health, wellbeing, and quality of practice, are clearly evidenced in our own, and other front line services. Supporting the profession to understand and manage these risks is one of the priorities for Wellness for Law, a ‘not for profit’ organisation established to assist the working group of WATB in its objectives.
Wellness for Law will host this year’s forum on the theme of ‘Trauma Risk for Law’, thanks to the sponsorship of The Honourable Society of Inner Temple and the support of University College London’s Faculty of Law facilities at Bentham House.
Our keynote speaker is Sir Andrew McFarlane, President of the Family Division, who will speak on wellbeing including that of the judiciary. We will hear how those in front line service groups, from the military, police, medical, Foreign & Commonwealth Office, in addition to the Crown Prosecution Service, prepare and respond to the risks of trauma.
WATB wellbeing certificate recipients will present practical guides of the range of recent initiatives, across different practice areas, with practitioners, clinicians and professionals available for networking discussion, to ensure there will be something to learn for every practice group.
Interactive discussion with a Bar leadership panel and practical workshops to support the profession, and those working with the profession, will make the forum a helpful place for returning or new participants to share their concerns, or gain ideas.
After attending the 2018 forum, participants have:
100% of those who took the survey were ‘satisfied’ or ‘very satisfied’ with the organisation of the event; and 100% of those agreed that the content of the forum was ‘relevant’ or ‘very relevant’.
‘Thought-provoking content & a diverse mix.’ ‘Life (& practice) enhancing.’ ‘An inspiration to see what other chambers are doing.’
The Forum provides an opportunity for the profession to learn something of the challenges experienced by those identifying as LGBTQ. Research suggests that many individuals identifying in this group experience higher rates of discrimination and challenge to mental health. A presentation and panel discussion will consider these issues amongst the legal profession, with practical guidance for achieving more inclusive environments and safeguards for practitioners.
The Forum is open to everyone with an interest in supporting themselves or others with wellbeing:
The Chair of the Bar reports back
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At the start of her term, Chair of the Bar 2026 Kirsty Brimelow KC set out a series of priorities for the year ahead. One of those priorities was children in the justice system
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Reviewed by Daniel Barnett
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