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Returning to the Bar
As part of its development of a programme of events and support for those returning to the bar after a period away, on Thursday 22 May the Inn held a free, interactive one-day conference offering guidance and support to those returning to the Bar, taking a career break, or moving practice area.
The day included panel talks with speakers from a range of backgrounds, sharing their experiences of going on and returning from parental leave and career breaks, navigating self-employed practice as a parent, moving practice area or chambers, and adapting to change when things do not go to plan. Interactive workshop sessions focused on micro-mentoring and building confidence and resilience; roundtable discussions focused on financial support, how time away can enhance your skills, and refreshing your advocacy skills on returning to the Bar.
Recordings of some of the sessions from the day can be viewed below.
Opening Plenary (including introduction from Barbara Mills KC and keynote address from Lady Justice Whipple)
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Real-life Stories in Building a Career
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Lessons and Leadership: Top Tips to Navigate Transfers/Flexible Working at the Bar
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Closing Reflections: Brie Stevens-Hoare KC
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Our Communication Skills for Barristers in the Workplace course, held each year in February, has places specifically for those returning to the bar, helping rebuild confidence in their oral advocacy.
We are keen to hear from those currently in the process of (or considering) returning to the bar or taking a career break. If you have any particular suggestions as to types of sessions and support that would be of most use to you, please contact establishedbarristers@innertemple.org.uk
Further sessions will be advertised on this page and via the Inn’s social media accounts.
Links
In the meantime, the Bar Council’s Ethics and Practice Hub has a range of useful resources and guidance on both taking time away from practice and the practicalities of returning afterwards:
Middle Temple also has a useful page of tips and links for returners, covering topics such as securing tenancy and job-hunting, practice development, regaining confidence, regulatory and administrative matters, keeping up to date with substantive and procedural law, and wellbeing:
We would also highly recommend the Wellbeing at the Bar Portal, a joint project between the Inns of Court, the Bar Council and the Institute of Barristers’ Clerks to provide specific support and best practice to barristers, clerks and chambers on wellbeing and mental health issues: