DOWNLOAD THE MENTEE FORM

DOWNLOAD THE MENTOR FORM

Most of us, at some time or other in our professional careers, have felt the need to talk to somebody who can offer advice. Often, there is someone in Chambers, or an old pupil supervisor, in whom one can confide. At other times, those people are just not appropriate as confidants. Perhaps the particular problem is not something that can be entrusted to another member of Chambers. Maybe your relationship with your pupil supervisor is not of the nature that makes the particular problem one which can comfortably be discussed between you. Sometimes, it may help just to have another, objective, member of the profession, perhaps one more senior than you, who may have experienced the same thing or may know someone else who has, just to lend a sympathetic ear. Some of us are fortunate enough to have such a person to turn to. Others of us are not so fortunate. The Chancery Bar Association Mentoring Scheme (which we have set up, first, for women) is directed towards supplying that want.

What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a one-to-one non-judgmental relationship in which one individual (the Mentor) voluntarily gives of her time to support, advise or encourage another (the Mentee).

Our hope for the Chancery Bar Association Mentoring Scheme is that women of all seniorities practising at the Chancery Bar will volunteer to act as Mentors to others and that, in this way, we will create a support network for the women practitioners at the Chancery Bar which will stretch the length and breadth and depth of this sector.

Women who have acted as Mentors in similar schemes implemented elsewhere have spoken of the satisfaction that they receive in giving something back to others in the profession.

The Scheme
It is not intended that the Scheme will operate on a needs-specific basis. It is hoped that women will apply to become part of the Scheme and to form a relationship with a Mentor which will be of value to both of them over a period of time.

There will, however, be Mentors who will be able to give assistance in a one-off situation on application. When that arises, every endeavour will be made to put Mentees in touch with Mentors who may have already faced these situations and can advise from experience.

Members of the Association may wish both to be Mentors themselves and to have a Mentor of their own. Younger Mentees will be strongly encouraged to become Mentors themselves in time.

How do I become a Mentor?
The Chancery Bar Association is looking for women, at all levels of seniority, who would be prepared to act as Mentor to another woman.
Mentors fill out a short form, the Mentor Form, detailing their professional background, and send this to the Association’s Administrator, Mary Block (see contact details below). The information on this form is used to match Mentors with Mentees, which is done by a small panel of Association members, including members of the Chancery Bar Association Committee. The form and the information on it will be kept confidential. The Mentor’s contact details are not given out: when a Mentee and Mentor are matched, the Mentor will be invited to contact the Mentee.

How do I become a Mentee?
If you would like to have a Mentor, you will also need to complete a short form, the Mentee Application Form which also gives details of the Mentee’s professional background and situation.  The information on this form is used by the panel to match Mentors with Mentees but is otherwise kept confidential.

When a match is made, the Administrator will contact the Mentee for permission to give out the Mentee’s contact details to a named Mentor. Once the Mentee has given her agreement, the Administrator will give the Mentee’s contact details to the agreed Mentor, who will then be invited to contact the Mentee.

What happens if it doesn’t work out?
The Mentor/Mentee relationship is purely voluntary and neither is under any obligation to continue it. If either wishes to terminate the relationship she should contact the Administrator who will arrange for the Mentee to be introduced to a new Mentor.

Who do I contact for further information?
If you would like further information about how the Scheme works, please feel free to contact:

Joanne Wicks at Wilberforce Chambers
Tel:  020 7306 0102
Email:  jwicks@wilberforce.co.uk

Mary Block, Administrator
21 Goodwyns Vale
London N10 2HA

Email: chancerybar@aol.com