The Bar Council has responded to today's announcement from the Bar Standards Board (BSB) on changes to the shared parental leave policy.

Sam Mercer, Bar Council Head of Policy for Equality and Diversity said:

"It should be the norm for professional fathers to take parental leave to care for their children rather than the exception, but to get there we need changes in culture and policy. 

"The rule changes announced today by the BSB will help to place both parents on a more equal footing when it comes to deciding who takes time off work, making it easier for all carers to play a more equal role.

"Chambers have a year to adjust to these Handbook rule changes which will not come into effect until November 2018. Within the next few weeks, the Bar Council will produce a guide for Chambers to clarify how they can be expected to manage adjustments to their existing policies and practices and we will be hosting meetings for Equality and Diversity Officers and Chambers staff." 

ENDS

Notes to Editors 

  1. Further information is available from the Bar Council Press Office on 020 7222 2525 and [email protected].

  2. The Bar Council represents barristers in England and Wales. It promotes: 

  • The Bar's high quality specialist advocacy and advisory services

  • Fair access to justice for all

  • The highest standards of ethics, equality and diversity across the profession, and

  • The development of business opportunities for barristers at home and abroad.

The General Council of the Bar is the Approved Regulator of the Bar of England and Wales. It discharges its regulatory functions through the independent Bar Standards Board