Social responsibility
Our commitment to the wider society means we’re involved in a range of initiatives that have a positive impact on wellbeing, communities and the planet.
In our day-to-day work, much of what we do benefits local communities as a whole.
Free legal advice to people unable to afford it
Many of our barristers provide pro bono (free) advice to people who are unable to afford legal representation. They receive these cases through referrals from the charity Advocate.
Our support for charities
Our charity partner for 2020 is Crisis.
During the Covid-19 lockdown, we have supported the charity’s emergency coronavirus campaign In This Together campaign. We donated clothing, hygiene essentials, books and stationary for emergency health and wellbeing packages as well as phones, tablets and SIM cards to help the charity provide remote support.
Collectively and individually, our barristers and staff support various charities.
- London Legal Walk: we participate in the 10km walk to raise money for free legal advice services in London and the South East that give vulnerable people with access to justice regardless of their financial situation. One of our barristers Sarah McKeown is a trustee of the London Legal Support Trust which organises the annual fundraising walk.
- Sarah Salmon and Christopher McCarthy acted pro bono for the successful respondent tenants in Jarvis v Evans and another (Shelter Cymru intervening) [2020] EWCA Civ 854. This was the 1st Court of Appeal case to consider the provisions of Part 1, Housing (Wales) 2014. They were nominated for Bar Pro Bono Awards 2020 for their work on the case.
- Stephen O’Rourke QC donates 1/3 of the proceeds from sales of his novel ‘The Crown Agent’ to The Tumbling Lassie charity which fights against modern slavery and people trafficking and helps survivors.
- In 2019, we again sponsored a charity concert to fundraise for charity Family Action and the Middle Temple Scholarship fund. Each received £3300.
Encouraging equality and diversity at the Bar
We believe it is important to encourage equality and diversity at the bar.
Our mini-pupillage programme is open to anyone interested in a career at the bar. We hope by offering these opportunities to widen the pool of people who gain an insight into life at the bar.
On a day-to-day basis, we offer our barristers flexibility in managing their practices to meet their personal and professional commitments.
We support new parents returning to work after parental leave by reducing the amount of rent they pay in their first 3 months back in practice.
Wellbeing
Funding cuts and other pressures on the legal system can add to the stress barristers face in their working lives. We have appointed a Wellbeing Officer and are developing a wellbeing policy to support our barristers in achieving a healthy work-life balance.
We have also identified practical steps and good working practices to help address work-related stress. These will be implemented throughout 2020.
Our commitment to sustainability
As much as possible, we try to minimise our carbon footprint.
Bike to work scheme: we encourage our barristers and staff to sign up to the scheme and to cycle. The scheme offers savings on the cost of buying a bike and accessories. We also provide secure bike storage.
Recycling in the workplace: we encourage secure recycling and sustainability within chambers. Wherever practical, we buy environmentally friendly products.