Barbara Mills KC shared updates on the Bar Council’s latest Wellbeing at the Bar reportJustice News247

Thank you to all those who joined us for this evening’s annual Chair’s event.

Barbara Mills KC shared updates on the Bar Council’s latest Wellbeing at the Bar report and discussed the initiatives that have been piloted this year, including the Balint reflective practice pilots and trauma-informed practice training courses.

Former UK Special Forces and Royal Marines leaders, Gerard Wood MC and Phil Jones, delivered a talk, sharing their experience and advice on managing stress.

‘Having set out well-being of the profession as one of my priorities this year, I am delighted to have been able to host this event this evening.
Does focusing on well-being undermine or enhance performance?
The interim findings of the reflective practice pilots we have been running with the help of Balint Legal in Bristol and London provides good evidence that it enhances performance.

For the first time this year, we asked what barristers did to support their well-being in The Bar Council of England and Wales Barristers Working Lives Survey. It is encouraging that the top theme identified was professional support including therapy, counselling and reflective practice. And yet no one is prepared to talk about it openly and why it is so important that we have started the conversation this year.

My heartfelt thanks to all who helped us get here- especially Sam Mercer Charlotte May KC and Marion Baker and Suzanne Jacobs