Our blog

Her Bar has created their own blog discussing every day issues and triumphs that women barristers experience whilst at the Bar. Please find our newest articles below...

September 2024

Career Progression

Catherine Brown practised as a barrister for nearly 15 years at Kings Chambers in Manchester and brings all of that experience with her into her coaching and training business, Skilful Conversation Limited, www.skilfulconversation.com. She gives insightful tips from a coaches perspective on how to properly manage your time and gives vital wisdom on recurring themes she finds appears during her coaching sessions...

The topics barristers bring to coaching…and the solutions they have found that might work for you too.

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August 2024

Finance

Have you considered your 'Plan B' if you fall ill or need to take prolonged time off from being a Barrister? Westgate Wealth explores the benefits of income protection and whether it is right for you...

WESTGATE WEALTH: Income Protection - A luxury or a necessity?

July 2024

Clerking

A unique perspective from a First Junior Clerk on balancing motherhood with a successful career. Read more from Nancy Rice, Joint First Junior Clerk at Temple Garden Chambers to learn the secret ingredient to having it all...

Lean on Me: Clerking from a Mother’s perspective

November 2023

Career Progression

In today's ever-evolving society, women across various professions are shattering glass ceilings and assuming leadership roles like never before. Orlagh Kelly, CEO of Briefed, is at the forefront of this movement, driving positive change for women. Let's delve into the story of Orlagh Kelly and her inspiring efforts to champion gender equality within the legal landscape.

Orlagh Kelly's Vision: Leading the Charge for Women in Law with HerBar and Briefed Partnership

November 2023

Women's Issues

Right to Equality has undertaken a two-year campaign to end the current presumption of contact within the family court. This blog written by Right to Equality Staff, Allison Quinlan and Safa Haroon explores this presumption as well as the concept of "Parental Alienation" and the how it can cause more harm than good, calling for a more nuanced and evidence-based approach to how the courts address family dynamics when such issues are raised. To learn more, read on...

Right to Equality’s Presumption of Contact Campaign

October 2023

Finance

Brewin Dolphin explores different types of financial protection. Protecting your family from financial difficulties isn’t just about having savings and investments to provide for the long term. It’s also about ensuring your loved ones are provided for should the worst happen. It’s important to seek advice from an adviser because your options are unlikely to be clear cut. They can help you work out the right cover for your personal circumstances.

BREWIN DOLPHIN: How to protect your family’s financial future

September 2023

Career Progression

You’re a barrister and you want to make some positive changes? Read on.

May 2023

Career Progression

The Commercial Bar Association (“COMBAR”) introduces their latest scheme involving 23 commercial sets who have now agreed to offer 250 mentoring places for those interested in entering the Commercial Bar from non-traditional backgrounds. Find out more details and how to apply in this article...

Commercial Bar Scheme: Mentoring Under-Represented Applicants to the Commercial Bar 2023-24

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February 2023

Health & wellbeing

Sannah Dad is a Pupil Barrister at College Chambers, in addition to being a Mediator and Conflict Coach. This article gives an insight into the practicalities of being a pupil and balancing this with your physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. She provides tips and tricks to implement in your daily practice as a pupil.

Tips and Tricks: Wellbeing during Pupillage

January 2023

Career Progression

Nikki Alderson, specialist coach, speaker, author and former Criminal Barrister. She is the author of Amazon No.1 Bestseller Raising the Bar: empowering female lawyers through coaching, nominee for 2019 Inspirational Women Awards, and finalist in 2020 Women in Law Awards and 2019 International Coaching Awards.

Career Break Returner Coaching: 5 strategies for a confident return.

October 2022

Everyday life as a barrister

Rachel Bale, founder of Her Bar and recently appointed commercial and chancery tenant at 3PB Barristers gives you a personal insight into her Pupillage experience, providing tips and guidance to navigate the ‘year-round interview’. Do you agree with her?

How to Survive Pupillage by Rachel Bale, Her Bar Founder

September 2022

Career Progression

Shanzé Shah is a pupil barrister at the Government Legal Department. She gives her perspective on the experience needed when seeking pupillage and provides and encourages applicants to take initiative...

The importance of taking initiative when pursuing pupillage…

July 2022

Clerking

Her Bar interviews Natalie Bryan, Junior Clerk at 3PB Winchester as to what life as a Junior Clerk is really like...and a woman clerk at that!

Day in the Life of a Junior Clerk

June 2022

Health & wellbeing

Anya Smirnova is a solicitor-turned-coach and mum of two. She runs her coaching practice Smirnova Coaching. She is the co-founder of the Mindful Return UK maternity leave course and co-host of the Lawyer Life Experiment podcast. Her mission is to support individuals in high-pressure jobs go through life shifts because "shift happens!" Read her article for invaluable tips and guidance on how to balance life commitments with pressures of being a barrister, ensuring to always take time out to listen to your inner voice telling you what you need.

How to balance your work and life commitments as a woman barrister

May 2022

Career Progression

Professor Felicity Gerry QC Queen’s Counsel at Libertas Chambers, London and Crockett Chambers, Melbourne shares her thoughts and tips on how best to progress your career. She encourages you to be confident in your ability and proud of your achievements. Be prepared to learn from your experiences and don’t assume we have the best justice system in the world – although it is probably better with you in it.

Professor Felicity Gerry QC shares her thoughts on progressing your career

April 2022

Career Progression

Her Bar shares a summary of some of the findings discussed during an informal forum run by Sarah Hannett QC and Lorna Skinner QC, alongside Zoe Leventhal and Sara Mansoori at Matrix Chambers. The forum discussed the pitfalls, fears and practical tips about taking silk...

EVENT SUMMARY: Demystifying The Journey To Silk

March 2022

Everyday life as a barrister

Some invaluable advice by Serena Varatharajah, Pupil Barrister at 1 High Pavement Barristers, who took 3 years to get pupillage. Having studied law at the University of Leicester and undertaken her Bar Exams at the University of Law, Serena gained significant experience of the legal profession through working as a paralegal at the HMRC and as a paralegal with responsibility for GDPR within a large commercial operation. Read her tips and guidance to help prepare you for the Pupillage Hunt 2022.

Pupillage Hunt: Grit and Determination Required

January 2022

Everyday life as a barrister

Stefania Patuto, Immigration Barrister at Richmond Chambers discusses what life at the employed bar really entails, the benefits she receives and how her journey began. A true insight into the often overlooked area of the Employed Bar and how this can benefit women barristers more specifically.

Life at the Employed Bar

December 2021

Women's Issues

Elicia Maxwell, BAME female law student at the University of Birmingham and member of the Race and Rights pro bono group aims to become a barrister in the future working in the fields of youth justice, terrorism, and firearms. She writes about the constant struggles women still face at the Bar but also how influential women in law have overcome them. An excellent insight from an aspiring Barrister...

Women’s efforts in Law

October 2021

Women's Issues

Ninety-nine years on from Dr Ivy Williams’ call to the Bar in May 1922, formal equality for women in the profession has yet to translate into practical equality. Women are under-represented among QCs . Women barristers earn, on average, less than their male counterparts even taking into account seniority, specialism and geography. Women from minority backgrounds earn less still. And many women pupils and barristers experience bullying or harassment – far more than report such treatment to the Regulator. So why has close on a century of formal equality failed to produce equality of opportunity or outcome for women barristers? And what is the role and responsibility of the Regulator – the Bar Standards Board – in putting this right?

BSB: "Diversity and Regulation at the Bar" by Mark Neale

October 2021

Clerking

In April last year, I wrote my first ever article looking at how our Chambers were adapting to working in lockdown. Never did I expect, a year and a half on, to be writing a follow up with those adaptations now a permanent foundation of our 'new normal'. The pandemic has pushed the Bar to the edge in many ways, particularly the Criminal Bar which was already under immense strain. In September 2020, I was honoured to be appointed Senior Clerk. It was a bitter sweet moment. The pride I felt as I received a flurry of congratulations was quickly over powered by a sense of trepidation and urgency, knowing that I had a mammoth task ahead.

Clerking During Covid-19 and Beyond by Zoe McCauley

September 2021

Everyday life as a barrister

September 2020 My co-pupil and I started pupillage with our Chambers going virtual. It is fair to say, this was rather unexpected, but then again so was the existence of a co-pupil. We did not know of each other until invited to Chambers before officially starting our journey at the Bar. Fortunately for us, we actually like each other. Well…to date. Our pupillage was designed to focus on Chambers’ main practice areas. We were actively involved in shaping our practical education with our supervisors. Whilst focusing on crime, we were allowed to expand our interests. I focused on family law, extradition, and certain aspects of civil law, enabling me to build a strong common law practice.

From Pupillage to Tenancy in Lockdown by Nasreen Shah

August 2021

Everyday life as a barrister

Her Bar is the simple concept that most barristers can’t believe doesn’t already exist. ‍It’s a bespoke comprehensive platform designed to follow and support the trajectory of a woman barrister’s career. We provide curated content, advice and resources in order to help support genuine issues women barristers continue to face including topics such as financial difficulties, work allocation, preparing for career breaks, harassment, menopause at work, and applying for silk. However, most importantly, Her Bar creates a community of women, who share the same profession and same issues and a space for them to ask and receive support and guidance.

Welcome to Her Bar’s first ever blog post!

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