Mentoring Scheme
Most of us, at some time or other in our professional careers, feel the need to talk to somebody who can offer advice and the benefit of their experience. Often, there may be someone in Chambers, or a former pupil supervisor, who can fulfil that role. At other times, those people may not be appropriate. This is when a Mentor – an informed, objective and supportive professional who is outside your immediate workplace – can provide a sympathetic ear and impartial guidance on how you might achieve your career goals.
Mentoring has become a widely used way of managing talent in many areas of business, industry and the professions, from supporting graduates and newly qualified individuals to people in mid-career and those who are taking up demanding senior positions.
The Chancery Bar Association operates its own mentoring scheme, building a resource bank of members practising at senior levels who will act as Mentors, with the aim of providing a support and advice network open to all members of the Association.
The Association has introduced a mentoring scheme for pupils - for more information please read the protocol below.
Some feedback on the scheme:
- “I have been able to talk to someone outside chambers, which has offered a valuable perspective on some of the challenges I have been facing.”
- “We meet regularly (not extremely frequently but with regularity) and discuss issues over coffee/in an informal setting. “
- “… it has been good to connect with another working mother who specialises in Chancery litigation. “
- “It really helped me to get through the initial stage of practice at the Bar as it was very helpful to have someone to ask questions that it might not be as easy to raise in chambers (such as in relation to time off/holiday, trying to establish work boundaries, and how to deal with clerking difficulties).”
- "Yes, it was a great experience. I truly believe mentoring gives as much to the mentor as the mentee!"
Support beyond the scope of the Mentoring Scheme
The Wellbeing at the Bar website provides support and advice to anyone working at the Bar https://www.wellbeingatthebar.org.uk/. The website contains lots of useful information and links to further support.
The Bar Council provides confidential support and advice to members of the profession, staff and members of chambers, employed barristers, pupils and Bar students about any equality and diversity, parental leave or bullying and harassment issue. Call the Equality and Diversity helpline on 020 7611 1426.
If anyone experiences or witnesses harassment, bullying or inappropriate behaviour at the Bar, Talk to Spot is a reporting platform which allows you to make a report confidentially and, if you want, anonymously.
LawCare is an independent charity offering emotional support, information and training to the legal community.
Tel: 0800 279 6888. Website: www.lawcare.org.uk/
The Barristers’ Benevolent Association assists barristers (past and present), members of the judiciary (past and present) and their dependants through difficult times, financially or ill health.
Tel: 020 7242 4761. Website: www.the-bba.com/