This week, 10 new barristers from across England and Wales, known as Social Mobility Advocates, join the Bar Council’s award-winning social mobility campaign #IAmTheBar, now in its third year.

All the Advocates attended state schools and non-Oxbridge universities; many from deprived areas and facing numerous other challenges on their journey to the Bar. The new Advocates demonstrate their passion and commitment to the profession despite an unconventional journey and the new challenges posed to their careers by Covid-19. Their stories aim to inspire those thinking about a career at the Bar and raise visibility of the opportunities and challenges for those coming to the Bar from underprivileged backgrounds.

Amanda Pinto QC, Chair of the Bar, said: “Contrary to popular belief, members of the Bar come from all walks of life. In this way we better represent the society we serve which is crucial to keeping public confidence in our justice system. We want that inclusiveness to be a reality from top to bottom in the profession. Regrettably many barristers from different backgrounds have found themselves adversely affected by Covid-19 and without any government support. The Bar Council is leading the charge and bringing together work across the profession to shape the Bar of the future.

“I am delighted that today we launch our new group of #iamthebar advocates and our Bar Council Leadership Programme. By sharing their own experiences, the impressive #IamTheBar social mobility advocates show what can be achieved, no matter what your background. The Leadership Programme provides a practical way for barristers who don’t currently see themselves reflected in leadership positions to change that in future. That is not just great for the individuals and the profession, but for the public too.” 

The latest round of social mobility advocates comes as the Bar Council launches its new Leadership Programme, a unique opportunity for 36 barristers, who have between seven and 15 years of practice, to learn more about themselves as leaders, network with a cohort of leaders, and gain the confidence, skills and insights to shape the culture of the Bar, now and in the future, as well as reflect the public they serve. 

The programme provides an opportunity for barristers to consider the role they can play within practice areas, chambers, the Bar and wider legal profession, and society in general to create a positive and inclusive culture.

The social mobility stories are being revealed on the Bar Council’s Twitter this week, and the new Advocates are:

Zayd Ahmed

Samreen Akhtar

Sara Anzani

Chloe Branton

Charlotte Davies

Richard Honey

Angharad Price

William Sneddon

Jacqueline Thomas QC

Nancy Williams

ENDS

 

Notes to editors

  1. About the #IAmTheBar campaign: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/media-campaigns/campaigns/iamthebar/social-mobility-advocates.html

    The latest social mobility advocate recruits join the 21 existing advocates who have shared their inspirational career journeys since the campaign launched in 2018. Since then it has gone from strength to strength, winning a LexisNexis Legal Award, and being shortlisted for a MemComm award in 2019.
     
  2. About the Leadership Programme: https://www.barcouncil.org.uk/support-for-barristers/equality-diversity-and-inclusion/the-bar-council-leadership-programme.html
     
  3. Press contact: [email protected] 
     
  4. About the Bar Council

    The Bar Council represents all 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.