Yaa Dankwa Ampadu Sackey is a family law barrister at Four Brick Court Chambers. Practising in public and private children law domestic abuse and international relocation cases, with emphasis on modern families and surrogacy. In this blog, Yaa Dankwa explains the impact of trauma on her working life and the benefits of our Trauma-informed practice training. The next course is taking place online on Wednesday 28 October.
As a junior family law barrister, I regularly work with clients navigating the legal system during some of the most challenging periods of their lives. During my early practice, I have represented individuals affected by domestic abuse coercive control and long-term emotional harm. This blog reflects on my experience of trauma-informed practice before and after attending the Trauma-informed practice training delivered by the Bar Council and Trauma Informed Law and how it has influenced my approach to advocacy in family proceedings.
What is your experience of trauma-informed practice prior to this training?
Exposure to trauma is an inherent aspect of family law practice. Many of the clients I represent are already highly vulnerable at the outset of proceedings. In addition to experiences of abuse, a significant number do not speak English as a first language which can intensify feelings of anxiety, exclusion and loss of control within an already intimidating legal process.
Before attending the trauma-informed practice training my approach to trauma was largely instinctive. I recognised distress when I encountered it and attempted to respond with patience empathy and care. I slowed down conferences where clients appeared overwhelmed and was conscious of the emotional impact of hearings particularly in cases involving children.
However, my understanding of trauma was not structured. I lacked a clear framework for understanding why some clients struggled to provide instructions, appeared inconsistent or disengaged at critical points in proceedings. Much of what I relied on had been learned informally through experience rather than formal training.
What was your perception of trauma-informed practice prior to this training?
Prior to training, I viewed trauma-informed practice as a significant but secondary consideration to legal advocacy. I associated it more closely with social workers and therapeutic professionals than with the role of a barrister.
I also tended to associate trauma with overt emotional distress. I did not fully appreciate how trauma can manifest in less visible ways such as difficulty recalling events, emotional detachment, or problems processing information under pressure. Where language barriers were involved, I often viewed communication difficulties as linguistic alone without fully considering how trauma might compound those challenges.
As a result, while I aimed to be sensitive, I did not fully understand how trauma could affect the quality of evidence, the clarity of instructions, or a client’s ability to participate meaningfully in proceedings.
What were your top three takeaways from the training?
The first key takeaway was that trauma-informed practice is evidence-based. Understanding how trauma affects memory, attention and emotional regulation has enabled me to reframe behaviours I previously found confusing and to approach clients with curiosity rather than assumption.
Secondly, the training highlighted the link between trauma and effective participation in the legal process. Clients who feel overwhelmed or unsafe may struggle to provide clear instructions or evidence. Small practical adjustments such as explaining the next steps, checking understanding and slowing the pace of questioning can significantly improve engagement.
Thirdly, the focus on vicarious trauma was particularly valuable. Family law practitioners are repeatedly exposed to distressing material often with limited opportunity for reflection. The training provided practical tools for recognising the impact of this work and supporting practitioner wellbeing.
Would you recommend the training to other practitioners? And if so, why?
This training is highly recommended, particularly for those practising in family law. It provides a clear and practical framework for understanding client behaviour, improving communication and advocacy and supporting wellbeing at the Bar.
Trauma-informed practice is not about lowering professional standards or avoiding difficult issues. It is about enabling clients to participate meaningfully in proceedings, improving the quality of evidence and recognising the emotional realities of legal practice. For family practitioners, this training offers practical evidence-based tools that enhance both advocacy and professional resilience.
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Book your place for our next Foundations of trauma-informed pracice for barristers on Wendesday 28 October, or Tuesday 8 December.