Hosted by Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar of England and Wales, join us for an evening focusing on wellbeing at the Bar.
A workshop exploring proactive wellbeing - discover why managing your mental wellbeing is an essential professional skill.
Find out more about the programme and how to book your place below
About this event:
The Chair of the Bar is delighted to host an evening focusing on her personal priority of promoting wellbeing at the Bar. In her opening remarks, the Chair will reflect on the progress made to date on supporting barristers to build healthier, more sustainable working practices and she will share her vision for the next steps in this vital area.
The highlight of the evening is a practical workshop delivered by two leading experts in wellbeing. They’ll share tools, insights and techniques to enhance resilience, improve work-life balance, and embed positive habits to support long-term professional wellbeing.
The evening will close with a networking drinks reception.
Workshop – The barristers edge: Why proactive wellbeing is a professional skill, not a luxury
In this exclusive session discover why managing your mental wellbeing is an essential professional skill – vital for maintaining performance, protecting your reputation, and sustaining a successful practice.
Delivered by former UK Special Forces and Royal Marines leaders turned leadership and wellbeing consultants, the session offers practical, jargon-free strategies to proactively manage mental fatigue, stress, and emotional demands within the pressures of legal work.
Through self-assessment and guidance on key self-leadership principles – mental stamina, emotional regulation, reflective practice, and boundaries – you’ll gain tools tailored to the unique challenges faced by barristers.
Programme
1. Introduction and context
Understand the professional risks barristers face due to mental fatigue and stress and learn why managing wellbeing proactively is essential to safeguarding your career, reputation, and client outcomes.
2. Confidential self-assessment and reflection
Complete a private self-assessment to rate your current levels of mental fatigue, work-related stress, and emotional control. Reflect on your personal risk factors and resilience strategies. Note that this is confidential personal reflection and is not shared with the group.
3. Principles of self-leadership
Discover practical and jargon-free strategies focused on leading yourself first. Learn four key pillars tailored to barristers’ specific needs:
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mental stamina
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emotional regulation
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reflective practice
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setting effective boundaries
4. Leadership insights and tactical risk management
Hear from former Special Forces and Royal Marines leaders on how elite operational risk management parallels the challenges barristers face. Explore how these insights can help you maintain high performance under pressure.
Why attend?
By attending this session, you will:
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Understand the financial, reputational, and personal risks associated with unmanaged mental fatigue and stress in your practice
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Learn practical self-leadership strategies to build mental stamina, regulate emotions, apply reflective practice, and maintain boundaries
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Complete a confidential self-assessment to identify your own mental resilience, strengths and areas for development
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Discover how proactive mental wellbeing acts as effective risk management to safeguard your career and professional effectiveness
Who should attend?
- Barristers at all career stages
- Pupils
Price
Standard: £10 (plus VAT)
Bar Representation Fee subscribers: £8 (plus VAT)
Book your place
Speakers
Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar of England and Wales
Barbara Mills KC is Chair of the Bar 2025. Barbara is joint head of chambers at 4PB and practises in family law specialising in difficult and complex children cases, often with an international element. Barbara is an arbitrator and a mediator, sits as a deputy High Court judge, and has been a recorder on the South Eastern Circuit for over 10 years. Barbara is also a governing bencher at Inner Temple.
Phil Jones, Aurelius Delta
Phil is a proud dad to two amazing boys and a former Royal Marine Commando with a deep passion for fitness and wellbeing. After serving around the world on conflict operations, he moved into Close Protection, supporting high-profile clients as both a bodyguard and personal trainer. His experience inspired him to launch SO FIT, helping people push past limits and reach their full potential.
Phil holds top-level qualifications in personal training, nutrition, coaching, and mental health. He’s also a certified Buteyko breathing practitioner, helping hundreds of individuals and companies improve their wellbeing through breathwork. With a teaching degree and a book on the way, Phil brings a unique blend of resilience, mindset mastery, and lived experience to everything he does.
Gerard Wood MC, Aurelius Delta
Gerard is a former Special Forces leader and Royal Marine Commando, awarded the Military Cross for outstanding bravery in active operations. After years of high-pressure service, Gerard now helps businesses build strong leadership and resilient cultures through his consultancy, Aurelius Delta.
Originally from southern England, Gerard studied photography before working with the UK Foreign Office in Africa. He later traded expat life for elite military training, becoming a Naval Special Forces operator. His journey has included powerful personal transformations, which now fuel his mission to help others lead with confidence and intent.
Through Aurelius Delta, Gerard mentors founders and leaders, drawing on his elite military experience. The mission: To improve resilience and profits through recruitment, retention and culture; helping leaders trust their decisions, lead with clarity and intent.
Head to MyBar to book your place