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Hena Vissian and HHJ Dewinder Birk explain why the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum was set up, discuss strategy and successes, and underline the ongoing issues for women at the Bar and importance of male allyship
The conception of the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum (MCWF) was encouraged by the then Leader of the Midland Circuit, Richard Atkins KC who saw a place and need for the Forum. The idea was borne out of the need to retain women at the Bar and MCWF was set up in 2018 by Sophie Garner and Esther Gamble who continue to serve as committee members as the forum enters its seventh year. Their aim was:
Make the Midlands Bar a more female-friendly place, to help resolve the gender imbalance and see women slaying.
This quote from Esther resonates when considering how it is expected things are framed – but women ‘slaying’ on the Midland Circuit is exactly what we are about. The most common misconception tied into this is that we are a women-only forum. We are not. We are an inclusive forum who welcome all who are interested in the work we do – be that as committee members, attendance at our events or behind the scenes. The reality is that for women to slay, we not only have to address the actual barriers head on but also raise awareness of the issues, barriers and boundaries that exist. This is something that involves everyone. It is not exclusive to women. Taking this approach will ensure the ladder is firmly left held down for future generations so that the Bar feels like a professional home for women rather than a battleground.
In order to maximise our effectiveness, the committee looked at the bigger picture and how to achieve it. Through a guided process of questioning, facilitated by an independent consultant, we were able to deep-dive into our values, vision and purpose. We identified with clarity the areas that we all felt passionately about, as set out in this article, and practical ways to implement them. This has resulted in the decision to host three to four major events in person and that other events will be delivered by way of podcasts or information provided on our website page.
We really value the commitment made by committee members to attend the meetings which are vital to organising our events. However, time is precious and we do not intend to waste it. So, our meetings have a guillotine strictly applied at the one-hour mark; any items not discussed are put on the agenda for the next committee meeting. Our agendas not only lists the items but also allocates time slots – this helps focus the mind and allows the Chair to bring discussions back on track. We open the Teams link five minutes early so that those all-important friendly catch-ups between committee members take place before we start official business rather than impinging upon committee time.
Rather than having sub-committees we select a single committee member to be the ‘lead’ for an event. They work closely with the Chair, Vice Chair and the Secretary. This allows clear lines of communication and responsibility as opposed to having multiple lines of communication which can happen with sub-committees.
Significantly, MCWF continues to be supported wholeheartedly by the Circuit as it continues to forge ahead to achieve its aim and implement its strategic goals. As a forum we work to identify the challenges and actively pool and share a wealth of information to those at the Midland Circuit with a view to maximising the potential of all women, and strengthen our position, individually and collectively, within the profession.
There are different challenges that women working at the Bar face across all disciplines and at all levels of call. As a forum we have focused on identifying potential career-challenging barriers and boundaries set historically, and actively work to address those and implement sustained change. For instance, even in 2025 retention of women at the Bar is still a real issue once women take on caring responsibilities. It is not the same for men at the Bar. Similarly, women wanting to return to work after maternity leave on the terms that they want, bullying and harassment, the gender pay gap, career progress to silk and/or judicial posts, mental wellbeing, menopause – we all need to raise awareness of these ongoing issues, understand the challenges and support women to work effectively through them.
It is not to say that these challenges can’t impact everyone at the Bar, but hiding behind not wanting to say that these are issues fundamentally facing women at the Bar is a boundary that we as a profession set for women barristers. This is a boundary that needs to be broken through if we, as a forum, stand any chance of making real, impactful and longstanding change for future generations.
Since its inception, MCWF has worked tirelessly to host events on key issues for women at the Bar. The topics for these events are determined by the feedback that individual committee members receive from our colleagues at the Bar, and those requests made to the forum directly. We have successfully addressed professional development of women at the Bar, leadership at the Bar, the impact of menopause, breast cancer awareness, the juggle of parenthood at the Bar, and bullying and harassment. We have had the privilege of guest speakers such as Lady Hale, Barbara Mills KC, Mrs Justice Theis and Mrs Justice Tipples supporting the events and initiatives we are seeking to drive forward. Mrs Justice Theis was kind enough to say:
It was a pleasure to come and speak to the MCWF. The value of such events cannot be underestimated – bringing people together to meet and share their experiences is very powerful. It is also enormous fun; everyone is made to feel welcome. These important events only happen through the dedication of a few, so I would encourage anyone to get in contact and support what the MCWF have achieved and ensure they continue to do so.
While the appeal to women is clear from the forum’s objective and the events that it holds, MCWF holds a clear view that it should not stop there. Men are our allies and partners in effecting sustained change. Worryingly, it remains increasing difficult to garner interest from our male colleagues and encourage male participation in our work – be that at events or in the background. The issues that we address also impact our male colleagues and we strive to engage the tangible support and input of men on the Midland Circuit.
The work and initiatives of MCWF are impactful and that is apparent in the feedback that we receive:
Just being in a room full of other women barristers who’ve all experienced the same joy, the same tears, the same laughter, the same crises, and sharing those experiences. Getting support from other women in the group has been in many ways, career changing.
The Western Circuit Women’s Forum, set up in 2015, has also done impactful work to improve the lot of women barristers on the Western Circuit and more widely through its research and campaigns. The four Inns united in 2021, the 100th anniversary of the first woman to be called to the Bar, Ivy Williams, to form the Inns of Court Alliance for Women. Other organisations, such as Women in Criminal Law and Women in the Law UK, are similarly active in inspiring and supporting women barristers.
We hope that other Circuits embrace this reflection to realise the potential and the importance of being active as a women’s forum; to continue to support women to progress, be seen, be heard and succeed at the Bar.
Pictured above: Midland Circuit Women’s Forum 6th Anniversary Event in 2024 with Mrs Justice Theis.
Hena Vissian is a senior member of the Family Team at 36 Group and specialises in Children Act matters. Hena is also a pupil supervisor, advocacy trainer, qualified coach practitioner and Chair of the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum
HHJ Dewinder Birk is a family judge on the Midlands Circuit. She was appointed as a fee-paid judge of the First-tier Immigration and Asylum Tribunal in 2005 and also to the Social Entitlement Chamber in 2018. HHJ Birk is Vice Chair of the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum.
The conception of the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum (MCWF) was encouraged by the then Leader of the Midland Circuit, Richard Atkins KC who saw a place and need for the Forum. The idea was borne out of the need to retain women at the Bar and MCWF was set up in 2018 by Sophie Garner and Esther Gamble who continue to serve as committee members as the forum enters its seventh year. Their aim was:
Make the Midlands Bar a more female-friendly place, to help resolve the gender imbalance and see women slaying.
This quote from Esther resonates when considering how it is expected things are framed – but women ‘slaying’ on the Midland Circuit is exactly what we are about. The most common misconception tied into this is that we are a women-only forum. We are not. We are an inclusive forum who welcome all who are interested in the work we do – be that as committee members, attendance at our events or behind the scenes. The reality is that for women to slay, we not only have to address the actual barriers head on but also raise awareness of the issues, barriers and boundaries that exist. This is something that involves everyone. It is not exclusive to women. Taking this approach will ensure the ladder is firmly left held down for future generations so that the Bar feels like a professional home for women rather than a battleground.
In order to maximise our effectiveness, the committee looked at the bigger picture and how to achieve it. Through a guided process of questioning, facilitated by an independent consultant, we were able to deep-dive into our values, vision and purpose. We identified with clarity the areas that we all felt passionately about, as set out in this article, and practical ways to implement them. This has resulted in the decision to host three to four major events in person and that other events will be delivered by way of podcasts or information provided on our website page.
We really value the commitment made by committee members to attend the meetings which are vital to organising our events. However, time is precious and we do not intend to waste it. So, our meetings have a guillotine strictly applied at the one-hour mark; any items not discussed are put on the agenda for the next committee meeting. Our agendas not only lists the items but also allocates time slots – this helps focus the mind and allows the Chair to bring discussions back on track. We open the Teams link five minutes early so that those all-important friendly catch-ups between committee members take place before we start official business rather than impinging upon committee time.
Rather than having sub-committees we select a single committee member to be the ‘lead’ for an event. They work closely with the Chair, Vice Chair and the Secretary. This allows clear lines of communication and responsibility as opposed to having multiple lines of communication which can happen with sub-committees.
Significantly, MCWF continues to be supported wholeheartedly by the Circuit as it continues to forge ahead to achieve its aim and implement its strategic goals. As a forum we work to identify the challenges and actively pool and share a wealth of information to those at the Midland Circuit with a view to maximising the potential of all women, and strengthen our position, individually and collectively, within the profession.
There are different challenges that women working at the Bar face across all disciplines and at all levels of call. As a forum we have focused on identifying potential career-challenging barriers and boundaries set historically, and actively work to address those and implement sustained change. For instance, even in 2025 retention of women at the Bar is still a real issue once women take on caring responsibilities. It is not the same for men at the Bar. Similarly, women wanting to return to work after maternity leave on the terms that they want, bullying and harassment, the gender pay gap, career progress to silk and/or judicial posts, mental wellbeing, menopause – we all need to raise awareness of these ongoing issues, understand the challenges and support women to work effectively through them.
It is not to say that these challenges can’t impact everyone at the Bar, but hiding behind not wanting to say that these are issues fundamentally facing women at the Bar is a boundary that we as a profession set for women barristers. This is a boundary that needs to be broken through if we, as a forum, stand any chance of making real, impactful and longstanding change for future generations.
Since its inception, MCWF has worked tirelessly to host events on key issues for women at the Bar. The topics for these events are determined by the feedback that individual committee members receive from our colleagues at the Bar, and those requests made to the forum directly. We have successfully addressed professional development of women at the Bar, leadership at the Bar, the impact of menopause, breast cancer awareness, the juggle of parenthood at the Bar, and bullying and harassment. We have had the privilege of guest speakers such as Lady Hale, Barbara Mills KC, Mrs Justice Theis and Mrs Justice Tipples supporting the events and initiatives we are seeking to drive forward. Mrs Justice Theis was kind enough to say:
It was a pleasure to come and speak to the MCWF. The value of such events cannot be underestimated – bringing people together to meet and share their experiences is very powerful. It is also enormous fun; everyone is made to feel welcome. These important events only happen through the dedication of a few, so I would encourage anyone to get in contact and support what the MCWF have achieved and ensure they continue to do so.
While the appeal to women is clear from the forum’s objective and the events that it holds, MCWF holds a clear view that it should not stop there. Men are our allies and partners in effecting sustained change. Worryingly, it remains increasing difficult to garner interest from our male colleagues and encourage male participation in our work – be that at events or in the background. The issues that we address also impact our male colleagues and we strive to engage the tangible support and input of men on the Midland Circuit.
The work and initiatives of MCWF are impactful and that is apparent in the feedback that we receive:
Just being in a room full of other women barristers who’ve all experienced the same joy, the same tears, the same laughter, the same crises, and sharing those experiences. Getting support from other women in the group has been in many ways, career changing.
The Western Circuit Women’s Forum, set up in 2015, has also done impactful work to improve the lot of women barristers on the Western Circuit and more widely through its research and campaigns. The four Inns united in 2021, the 100th anniversary of the first woman to be called to the Bar, Ivy Williams, to form the Inns of Court Alliance for Women. Other organisations, such as Women in Criminal Law and Women in the Law UK, are similarly active in inspiring and supporting women barristers.
We hope that other Circuits embrace this reflection to realise the potential and the importance of being active as a women’s forum; to continue to support women to progress, be seen, be heard and succeed at the Bar.
Pictured above: Midland Circuit Women’s Forum 6th Anniversary Event in 2024 with Mrs Justice Theis.
Hena Vissian and HHJ Dewinder Birk explain why the Midland Circuit Women’s Forum was set up, discuss strategy and successes, and underline the ongoing issues for women at the Bar and importance of male allyship
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