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Almost two-thirds of those who left the Bar on the Western Circuit over the last six years were women, a survey revealed.
The study, by the Western Circuit Women’s Forum, revealed that since 2012, 45 barristers had taken breaks from work and 47 had quit the Bar. While almost all of the men who left became judges or retired, the vast majority of women were forced to leave midcareer due to the difficulty of balancing their work and family commitments.
The survey for the Back to the Bar report found that a significant proportion of women who left the Bar could have been retained with changes to working patterns and culture.
While many women on the Western Circuit have taken parental leave and successfully returned to work, the report said that 60% had found it difficult to return to work. Male barristers rarely took parental leave for any significant period, and none had reported taking parental leave for six weeks or more.
To improve the situation, the report recommended highlighting examples of good practice in supporting women returning to work, developing ‘back-to-work’ programmes for women returners and setting out best practice for chambers to stay in touch with tenants who take leave, and structure their return to work.
It suggested flexible rent provisions for those taking longer breaks from practice; raising awareness among regulatory bodies, the wider profession and the judiciary of the challenges faced by women at the Bar; and greater understanding of the reasonable adjustments that could be made to court listing procedures to accommodate the needs of those with care responsibilities and enable greater predictability in working patterns.
Training clerks to increase their understanding and appreciation of difficulties facing working parents, and improving networking opportunities and mentoring programmes would also help, it said.
Almost two-thirds of those who left the Bar on the Western Circuit over the last six years were women, a survey revealed.
The study, by the Western Circuit Women’s Forum, revealed that since 2012, 45 barristers had taken breaks from work and 47 had quit the Bar. While almost all of the men who left became judges or retired, the vast majority of women were forced to leave midcareer due to the difficulty of balancing their work and family commitments.
The survey for the Back to the Bar report found that a significant proportion of women who left the Bar could have been retained with changes to working patterns and culture.
While many women on the Western Circuit have taken parental leave and successfully returned to work, the report said that 60% had found it difficult to return to work. Male barristers rarely took parental leave for any significant period, and none had reported taking parental leave for six weeks or more.
To improve the situation, the report recommended highlighting examples of good practice in supporting women returning to work, developing ‘back-to-work’ programmes for women returners and setting out best practice for chambers to stay in touch with tenants who take leave, and structure their return to work.
It suggested flexible rent provisions for those taking longer breaks from practice; raising awareness among regulatory bodies, the wider profession and the judiciary of the challenges faced by women at the Bar; and greater understanding of the reasonable adjustments that could be made to court listing procedures to accommodate the needs of those with care responsibilities and enable greater predictability in working patterns.
Training clerks to increase their understanding and appreciation of difficulties facing working parents, and improving networking opportunities and mentoring programmes would also help, it said.
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
Review by Daniel Barnett
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
