The Northern Circuit published its Race Working Group Report in November 2021. We have been implementing the recommendations made within our report as a priority. The Northern Circuit report reflects the restricted scope of Circuit’s authority over its members and their Chambers. On 1st March 2022 the Circuit Executive voted unanimously to implement all of the recommendations of the NC Race working group report and responsibility has been passed to the EDSM Committee.
Since then, the EDSM committee has undertaken extensive work actively promoting Circuit as a partner in educational and awareness initiatives. In particular, Circuit has vastly expanded its educational programme to ensure that all pupil supervisor training, pupil and practice management training includes insightful and thought-provoking content on equality and diversity. This is to ensure that both pupils and pupil supervisors are fully aware of what is expected of them, as well as highlighting the support available to those from underrepresented backgrounds. Both pupil supervisors and pupils have commented they leave the training alive to the E&D issues they may face and the resources available from Circuit to address them. As part of our educational outreach Circuit now annually participates in the Bar Council’s pupillage fair, BBP law fair and will this year be co-hosting the very first Pupillage Fair North.
In response to our report, we set up a subcommittee with specific remit to establish a NC outreach scheme which has been launched in conjunction with the FLBA. The aim of the outreach programme is to provide schools with high numbers of students from underrepresented groups, particularly black and Asian students, with access to Barristers and information about the profession. Schools which we visit are provided with resources regarding the profession utilising a combination of resources provided by the Bar Council and some developed specifically by the Sub Committee. We are currently working on an developing our webpage which will provide access to our information sheet and allows educational establishments to book for a visit from the outreach team. Circuit is also working on a new website which will include links to web-based resources which provide information to those who wish to find out about the profession and schemes which enable access to the profession and financial support.
The Circuit Leader has twice held meetings with the Heads of Chambers and E&D Officers on Circuit. The purpose of these meetings was to discuss the race working report and to ensure Chambers were equipped and ready to implement its recommendations. Additionally, we aimed to ensure Chambers on circuit were compliant with the BSB equality rules. To that end, each set of Chambers has been provided with an Action on Race Equality Resource pack which included a number of resources such as the Guidance on the BSB Equality Rules, Bar Councils Race Working Group report, the Bar Council’s Framework for action on Race Equality and Race Action plan templates. Chambers were also provided with details of organisations to collaborate with, existing initiatives, schemes to join and useful guides. This has already proven a success as a number of Chambers on circuit have participated in hosting students from the Bar Council placement scheme and 10,000 black interns.
The EDSM subcommittee has recently launched a Northern Circuit mentoring scheme. Additionally, we have designed and gained approval from the Educational Committee for a vast new programme of educational training to support access, progression and retention of Black and Asian barristers on Circuit. In addition to pupil supervisor and pupillage training, this involves events on tackling bullying harassment and Inappropriate Behaviour at the Bar. Circuit has also hosted events on fair recruitment, career progression: judicial application and preparing for silk applications and has plans for a future event on appellant advocacy.
A subcommittee was drawn up to review Circuit mess and particularly the role of Circuit Junior. This has resulted in significant reform to ensure the recruitment process is transparent and non-discriminatory. This includes express encouragement to Black and Asian barristers to put themselves forward. We have also attempted to organise alternative mess events in order to encourage greater diversity in the participation of mess. However, we often struggle to gain sufficient interest for such events leading to cancellations. Nonetheless, alternative events are actively being considered and we hope to secure greater interest in the future.
Circuit has developed a policy to offer pastoral support to those members who experience discrimination. Several Circuit representatives have requested a waiver of onward reporting requirements in Rule 66 from the BSB rules to ensure we can offer pastoral support without requirement to inform BSB. Once this is obtained the policy can be published. Our updated website will also include links to the Bar Council’s talk to Spot.
Having reviewed our resources, the EDSM Committee concluded it requires additional support to implement its planned projects. The committee is made up of volunteers, all of whom are practising barristers and many with childcare and other family commitments. Accordingly, we have recently commenced the recruitment process for a temporary EDSM Project Manager to ensure our schemes are implemented as soon as possible.
In November 2022 the Bar Council published its Race at the Bar Progress report which included a section on the progress made on the 5 Circuits. I was delighted to see that the hard work of the EDSM committee and its volunteers reflected in a note stating, “This circuit is highly active therefore more initiatives are underway in the NC than can be included here…”. We have no intention of slowing down. There is still much to do, and it is only possible with the participation of our members. If you are interested in joining the EDSM committee, please express your interest by completing the following form.
Lena Amartey
Northern Circuit EDSM Officer