The book is beautifully written It provides the perfect blend of personal stories told with good humour and searing honesty, aimed not only at would be/ new/ seasoned barrister parents, but also their clerks, colleagues, opponents, leaders and judges. Peppered with shared data and experience from the 250 surveyed, it reassures any working parent barrister that they are not alone. - Nikki Alderson, International Talent Retention and Women's Leadership Development Specialist, Coach and Trainer
Baby at the Bar provides comprehensive guidance for barristers at the self-employed Bar embarking on the parenting journey, or already on it, addressing not only the immediate considerations, such as taking and returning from maternity/parental leave, but also the years and evolving challenges which follow. The authors build on the collective wisdom of over 250 barristers, women and men, from across all areas of law and levels of call, who shared their insight, advice and strategies in response to the authors' research survey. The book rectifies a previous absence of such information.
In addition to being a source of reassurance and guidance for those seeking it, the book highlights how the profession could help. It encourages more supportive practices in chambers, amongst colleagues, opponents and the judiciary, by sharing what works, what can be improved, and what needs to end. The result is an unvarnished account of the challenges facing those at the self-employed Bar with parenting responsibilities, designed to encourage open and honest discussion about where the solutions lie.
Find out more at babyatthebar.co.uk
This title is included in Bloomsbury Professional's Employment Law online service.
Arvustused
The Bar has long been synonymous with intellectual rigour, independence and resilience. Yet, for too many years, its culture has been shaped by assumptions that did not account for the realities of parenthood. This book, Baby at the Bar, is a timely and necessary intervention. It shines a light on the lived experiences of women and men who have navigated the dual demands of advocacy and parenting, often in the face of structural and cultural barriers. * Lady Justice Whipple (from the foreword) * The book is beautifully written, achieving its objective of making having a baby at the Bar less hard or lonely [ It] is currently the missing resource from Bar Council, Circuits or Inns of Court websites, and should be gifted by Chambers to anyone considering a period of parental leave. It comes highly recommended, speaking as a former barrister and working mum who left in 2018 - how things might have been different had this superb resource been available back then! * Nikki Alderson, International Talent Retention and Women's Leadership Development Specialist, Coach and Trainer *
Muu info
This book is for anyone who wants to know more about parenting at the Bar, and in particular improving the retention and progression of women at the Bar.
Foreword: Lady Justice Whipple
1 How Can This Book Help Me?
2 Before I Tell Everyone
3 When Things Go Wrong
4 Telling People, Early Decisions and Being Pregnant
5 Parental Leave
6 Returning to Practice as a New Parent The Initial Return
7 Practice as a Parent The Longer-Term Challenges and Strategies
8 The Evolving Challenges As Children Grow
9 Finances
Conclusion
Emma Price, barrister, 5 Essex Chambers, UK Emma has a civil and public law practice, specialising in inquests and inquiries, civil claims (including human rights claims), judicial review, data and information law and personal injury. Emma is on the Attorney Generals A Panel of Counsel. She is ranked as a leading junior in Inquests and Inquiries by Chambers UK and the Legal 500 and was named Junior of the year in the Legal 500 UK Bar awards in 2024.
Emma-Louise Fenelon, barrister, 1 Crown Office Row, UK Emma-Louise practises in civil, public and human rights law. She is listed as a leading junior by the Directories in inquest and public inquiries, personal injury and clinical negligence, and is a member of the Attorney Generals B Panel. She co-hosts the podcast Law Pod UK, which has 980,000 listens. In 2024 Emma was named Barrister of the Year at the Women In Law awards.
