In May 1922 Ivy Williams was the first woman called to the Bar and six months later she was followed by Helena Normanton, the first woman to practise at the Bar. Nowadays the Bar Council has an Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee and its remit is to address all matters concerning equality, diversity and inclusion at the Bar. The Bar Council’s Diversity and Inclusion staff team work closely with the committee of barristers who provide their expertise both in the interests of the profession and the public. There are also thriving women’s networks that exist on circuit and within different practice areas.
On this page:
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Blogs about and from women in law: IWD23, IWD22, IWD21 and other blogs
- Links to our Women in Law Pledge and Women and Equalities Committee inquiry: Menopause and the workplace
- Support and resources: Career support, Personal support, Support and resources from across the Bar, Statistics and reports, Guidance and toolkits for chambers, Upcoming E&D training
International Women's Day blogs
A series of blogs written by women barristers, celebrating women in law for this year's International Women's Day.
Inspiring inclusion at the Bar for International Women's Day
Bar Council committee chairs share their thoughts for IWD24
IWD23: Embracing Equity
A guest blog by Sara Carnegie explaining the 50:50 global gender project.
IWD23: Solidarity with the wives and families of Guantanamo’s detainees
A guest blog for International Women's Day by Professor Susan Edwards about the women affected by Guantánamo prison.
International Women's Day 2022
For this year's International Women's Day on 8 March 2022, throughout the week we published a series of blogs by women barristers to celebrate women in law.
IWD22: Wellbeing at the Bar
Rachel Spearing encourages colleagues to find time to breathe
IWD22: Through seeing women succeed, more will follow
Nneka Akudolu shows a determination to push upwards and forward.
IWD22: Courtesy and civility are the bedrock of kindness
Valerie Charbit suggests there is already kindness at the Bar but we need to create more of it.
IWD22: Leading from the front
Hannah M Markham QC says we need to nurture, support and retain women from all backgrounds.
IWD22: The joy of conversation
Celina Colquhoun reflects on an afternoon spent with impressive women.
IWD22: The menopause should not be cast in a negative light
Lyndsey de Mestre QC sets out some of the progress and barriers for women.
IWD22: The Bar Council’s Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee
As the Co-Chair, Elaine Banton, explains the different aspects of the committee's work.
IWD22: Thinking critically about women’s rights and flexible working
Eleena Misra explains some of the complexities linked to employment and equalities laws
IWD22: We need hope and cooperation to solve the challenges ahead
Edite Ligere suggests that humane principles should be valued, encouraged and appreciated.
IWD22: Raising voices from marginalised communities
Christina Warner highlights her experiences as a visually impaired, LGBTQ+, disability inclusion activist and practitioner.
IWD22: The International Day of Women Judges
Justice Maura McGowan DBE sheds light on the links between Afghan and UK judges.
IWD22: We need less talk and more action
Zoe Chapman and Kitan Ososami believe there is still more work to be done.
IWD22: More greenhouse than a glass ceiling
Susan Grocott QC outlines her positive work experiences practising as a family law barrister in Manchester.
IWD22: Lessons in solidarity from the trade union movement
Lucy Chapman says the support experienced between women in the trade union movement is also alive and well at the Bar.
IWD22: Women and the Rule of Law
Rachel Langdale QC stresses the importance of the Rule of Law and the role of women.
IWD22: Equality begins at home - working mothers and the gender pay gap
Emma Hughes and Leah Nandugga argue that inequality is linked to stereotypes, family life and the division of labour at home.
IWD22: The importance of Role Models
Lola-Rose Avery highlights the important role of women who provide guidance and inspiration.
IWD22: Breaking the Bias
Barbara Mills QC and Charlotte Baker suggest that we all have a responsibility to make things better now and for those who come after us.
IWD22: Challenging unequal treatment on pay, pensions and childcare
Specialist in employment and discrimination law, Claire Darwin, explains the legal battles she has fought to achieve better rights for women at work on pay, pensions and childcare.
IWD22: A step up the ladder
Michelle Heeley QC suggests that very successful women have a duty to mentor those more junior to them.
IWD22: Women who are wrongly prosecuted and convicted
Legal Director of APPEAL, Emma Torr, explains the key patterns and trends.
IWD22: Women Making Change
Heidi Stonecliffe QC explains her journey to become the first woman appointed as Queen's Counsel from within the CPS.
In 2021, we asked five women at the Bar from a range of backgrounds and seniority to share their thoughts on IWD - including their professional achievements, advice and the biggest change they want to see at the Bar.
Q&A:
Guest blog:
- 8 April 2021: Guest blog: New court hijab goes beyond professional attire for Muslim women at the Bar
- 1 July 2021: Guest blog: Working together to improve diversity, inclusion and progression for those who prosecute for the CPS
- 12 July 2021: Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021 – Highly Commended: A Virtual Journey into 5 Essex Court by Shreya Tanna
- 12 July 2021: Winner of the Bar Placement Scheme Blog Competition 2021: Digital Courtroom by Kinjell Singh
Support and resources
Mentoring
Mentoring schemes for all stages of Bar careers
Pre-application judicial education programme (PAJE)
Developed by the Judicial Diversity Forum to support groups under-represented in the judiciary
Training and workshops
Training courses and practical CPD sessions
Visit our Personal support page for information on support available through LawCare and our assistance programme.
- Inns of Court Alliance for Women (ICAW)
- Themis – The Intersectional Alliance of Women at the Bar
- First 100 years – celebrating women in law
- Women in Criminal Law
- Women in Family Law
- United Kingdom Association of Women Judges
- Inner Temple Women's Forum events
- Western Circuit Women's Forum
- Midland Circuit - Women's Mentoring and Forum
- FREEBAR - FreeBar is a network aiming to foster inclusion and support for LGBT+ people working as and with barristers.
- HerBar - women barristers' hub
- Women in the law UK - a women’s not-for-profit networking organisation providing members with an array of resources and events designed to encourage, inspire and support the next generation of Lawyers and Women in Business.
If you believe there may be any forums or useful sites missing from this list, please let us know [email protected].
- Demographics dashboard: view the latest statistics on practising barristers in the UK – updated monthly.
- Barrister earnings data by sex and practice area report 2021.
- Income at the Bar – by Gender and Ethnicity 2022 report from the Bar Standards Board.
- November 2020: 'New figures show shocking gender pay gap at the Bar' - including a link to the Bar Council Gender Pay Gap table from November 2020 .
- Menopause: Supporting members and staff
- Monitoring Work Distribution Toolkit Part 1: Sex - toolkit to assist chambers in using income data to identify and address disparities in distribution of work.
- Positive action guide - guide to complying with positive action provisions in the Equality Act 2010.
- BSB guidance on complying with equality and diversity rules - a tool for the administration of chambers, to enable to meet their legal and regulatory duties, and to follow best practice in equality and diversity.
- The Bar equality, diversity and inclusion directory - created for the promotion of inclusivity at the Bar by nine barristers in private practice as part of the 2021 Bar Council Leadership Programme.