Reflective practice pilots

Our aim

Psychological wellbeing is important but rarely spoken about within the profession. We're seeking to address and support the professional wellbeing challenges faced by barristers. We want to encourage better practice habits and help barristers to spot problems early on. We also want to provide the right support that will help barristers protect themselves and support one another. 
 
This year we will pilot different reflective practice delivery models and approaches. A reflective approach provides a space to analyse and evaluate professional experiences and debrief. As such, reflective practice will support your continuing professional development (CPD).

Hear more about this project from Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar, in this article from Counsel magazine

The pilot

The first pilot will be in partnership with Balint Legal and involves groups rather than 1:1 support. We will be running different Balint groups from early summer. The pilots are confidential. There are two groups from June to December, which will be made up of barristers whose main practice area is: 

• Family or criminal (will be held in person, Bristol)
• Commercial or Chancery (will be held in person, London)

We hope to establish a Balint Group pilot for the employed Bar this Autumn. Details to be confirmed.

Thank you to all those who expressed interest in participating in the Pilot programme. Places on the family/crime pilot in Bristol and the Chancery/commercial pilot in London have now all been filled.

We will continue to liaise directly with all barristers who expressed an interest in participating in a Balint Group.

Other pilots

We are exploring other reflective practice models and will look to pilot one or more of these over the coming months - an update will be provided in the Autumn 2025.

If you would like more information, please email us