The Inn is committed to promoting and supporting the wellbeing of our Members and to providing an environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect..
We collaborate with The Bar Council and the other Inns to continue to develop support and resources for the Bar. Barrister Members seeking support and guidance are encouraged to visit The Bar Council’s Wellbeing at the Bar website.
- Events at the Inn
The Education department and the Gray’s Inn Barristers’ Committee (GIBC) organise a series of events throughout the year including Wellbeing at the Bar and Junior Bar events. Attending events offers practical advice and an opportunity to network with colleagues who are ready to share their experiences and advice. - Mentoring for practitioners
Available for second-six pupils, junior barristers, and barristers who are movers or returners (barristers returning to practice following a period of absence (returners), or considering a move of location or practice area, (movers)). - Scholarships
Student and pupil Members can apply for scholarships prior to the GDL, Bar Course, Pupillage and to support various internship opportunities. - Career development
There is a wealth of support from the Inn for our students and pupils, including the mentoring scheme, one to one career advice, and a series of Qualifying Sessions and practical advice sessions. - The Gray’s Inn Education Committee Hardship Fund
To support students and pupil barristers who are experiencing short-term financial hardship due to unforeseen circumstances, which could jeopardise their completion of the Bar Course or Pupillage. - Travel Bursary Support (for students)
Students can apply for financial support to travel to an in-person Qualifying Session or Marshalling. - Barristers’ Committee Travel Fund
Support for Members of Hall, especially junior practitioners and those on Circuit who practice outside London, to attend social and governance events at their Inn. - Confidential pastoral support and guidance
We are here to support Members at every stage of their career. Our student, pupil and new practitioner Members can contact the Director of Education. Barristers can contact the Under Treasurer. Additionally, the Preacher is available to listen in complete confidence. Contact the Inn.
Reporting bullying, harassment or inappropriate conduct
Members can raise a concern or make a complaint, relating to bullying, harassment or inappropriate behaviour in connection with the activities of the Inn, by contacting one of the Inn’s designated employees.
Our designated employees are members of Inn staff who have been trained to listen to your concerns, signpost you towards available support and take appropriate action (with your consent).
Designated employees can also provide our Members with access to swift pastoral support via the Gray’s Inn Support Scheme, regardless of whether they subsequently wish to raise a concern or make a complaint. This scheme, approved by the Bar Standards Board (BSB), provides informal, one to one welfare support directly from Members of the Inn or the Inn’s Preacher. The scheme’s panel is headed by a senior Bencher and is diverse in age, experience and discipline. All have received training and will contact the affected person as soon as possible. Only anonymised records will be kept.
Designated Gray’s Inn employees are:
- Stephen Cartwright OBE (Under Treasurer) – email Stephen Cartwright or call 020 7458 7802
- Clare Johns (Director of Finance) – email Clare Johns or call 020 7458 7803
- Sam Hutchinson (Chief of Staff) – email Sam Hutchinson or call 020 7458 7981
- Mairi Wilson (Digital and Marketing Manager) – email Mairi Wilson or call 020 7458 7950
Read further information on the Inn’s policies:
- Gray’s Inn Code of Conduct for Members
- The Inns of Court Anti-Harassment Policy
- Gray’s Inn Complaints Procedure
Key organisations and resources
The Inns
The Inns work together to provide key resources to all of our Members, including events held at the other Inns and open to Members of every Inn. These include regularly scheduled events to support wellbeing, provide continual professional development (CPD) and opportunities to network with colleagues from accross the Bar.
- The Inns of Court Alliance for Women (ICAW)
Annual events at one of the four Inns, ICAW exists to encourage and support women throughout their careers, and to increase retention and diversity within the profession. - Pre-pupillage support scheme
Supported by all four Inns and available to all our Members still looking for pupillage. - Inner Temple events
- Middle Temple events
- Lincoln’s Inn events
The Bar Council
The Bar Council provides a range of services to all members of the Bar. Useful resources include:
- Wellbeing at the Bar website.
Supported by all four Inns and designed to provide support and best practice to barristers, clerks, chambers on wellbeing. - The Assistance Programme
The Bar Council, Institute of Barristers’ Clerks (‘IBC’) and the Legal Practice Managers’ Association (‘LPMA’) provide an Assistance Programme to all self-employed barristers with a practising certificate as well as members of the IBC and LPMA. - Talk to Spot
Our Members are encouraged to report bullying, harassment or discrimination via Talk to Spot which records incidents of inappropriate behaviour across the Bar. You can make an anonymous record or choose to make a report. Members can also contact a designated employee to report harassment or inappropriate conduct in connection with the activities of the Inn. - Support for the Young Bar
Support aimed at new practitioners in the first 7 years of practice. - Ethics and Practice Hub
Ethics and practice management guidance for barristers and chambers, including advice on: - Mentoring Service
Assists students seeking to join the Bar, parents who wish to stay in practice, and barristers considering silk or judicial appointment. - The Parental Support Hub
Information and assistance to enable parents to manage their parental leave and childcare responsibilities whilst maintaining a practice at the self-employed or employed Bar. - Movers and returners
For those coming back to the Bar, switching practice area or moving between the employed and self-employed Bars - Bar Council helplines
Including ethical enquiries, equality and diversity helpline, and pupil helpline.
Further support
- Barristers Benevolent Association (BBA)
Supporting the members of the Bar in England and Wales who are in need, distress or in difficulties. Barristers can apply for financial support from the BBA. - LawCare
LawCare is the mental health charity for the legal sector with a free and confidential helpline. - Charlie Waller Memorial Trust
Set up in 1997 in memory of Charlie Waller, a young man who took his own life whilst suffering from depression. Shortly after his death, his family founded the Trust in order to educate young people on the importance of staying mentally well and how to do so. - Free online meditation courses
Guided meditations and an introductory course to help understand the practice of meditation and how to develop a regular meditation practice. - International Bar Association
A leading organisation of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. The IBA influences the development of international law reform and shapes the future of the legal profession throughout the world. - Specialist Bar Associations
Dedicated to the interests of groups of barristers within specific practice areas and geographical regions. The SBAs can help to promote their members’ interests, for example responding to proposals for changes to regulations, and offering support to their members through networking events and mentoring schemes. - Family and Childcare Trust
A national charity whose aims are to ensure high quality and affordable childcare for all. - Gov.uk
Key information regarding maternity pay and leave.