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Having a mentor outside of one’s chambers provides wider perspective without fear of judgment or consequences, says David E. Grant KC. The benefits of Chancery Bar Association’s designated scheme for pupils and appeal for more mentors to join
The Chancery Bar Association (ChBA) mentoring scheme is the oldest specialist Bar association (SBA) mentoring scheme and has been in operation since February 2009. The ChBA website describes mentoring and the SBA’s aspirations for the scheme as follows: Mentoring is a one-to-one non-judgmental relationship in which one individual (the mentor) voluntarily gives of their time to support, advise or encourage another (the mentee).
The main mentoring scheme is open to all ChBA members irrespective of seniority. People may wish a mentor for a variety of reasons including seeking advice about an application for silk or a judicial appointment, returning from parental leave and transferring to the Bar from another profession. The designated pupil mentoring scheme has been in operation since June 2020. It was borne of a realisation that, despite the fact that individual chambers invariably had their own internal support structures, there was a real need for and interest in an external scheme. As a pupil supervisor at the time of lockdown, I am all too aware of the pandemic’s impact on the concept of learning by osmosis and a pupil’s sense of isolation.
The end of lockdown has, however, not resolved the need for the pupil mentoring scheme. Having a mentor outside of one’s chambers provides the mentee with a wider perspective and the ability to ask questions of someone who will not be party to the decision whether to offer the mentee tenancy at the end of their pupillage. The scheme provides contact, support and exposure to the ChBA to practitioners whether or not in pure Chancery sets, whether in London or otherwise and irrespective of background, e.g. whether they have come straight from university, have transferred from another branch of the legal profession or have made a complete career change. The essence of any successful mentoring scheme is matching a mentee and mentor and commitment from both parties. Once the match has been made it is up to the mentor and mentee to develop the relationship and determine how often the mentoring is to be provided.
The success of the scheme can be measured by some of the testimonials from those who have benefitted.
‘I found the scheme to be extremely helpful. The most useful aspect was having a sounding board outside chambers, so that one could ask the questions that (no matter what you were told) really did seem too stupid to ask one’s supervisor. It also gave a perspective into how things might differ at other sets, which was particularly helpful in countering the tunnel-vision that can come from only having sources inside one’s own chambers. It also provided a very helpful outlet during the tenancy process, which can be stressful even if you have received largely positive feedback during pupillage.’
‘I came to the Bar in a slightly unusual way, having spent the first 15 years or so of my working life as a solicitor. Starting practice as a barrister was therefore an unusual mixture of the reassuringly familiar (telling people what a lease is) and the dauntingly new (standing up in court and trying to persuade a judge that a lease works in a particular way...). Having a mentor with whom I could raise concerns and of whom I could ask questions (no matter how ignorant) was hugely useful and a great source of comfort to me as I was starting out in my new career. If I were to identify one thing of particular value, it was learning that everyone in the profession has insecurities and realising that I needed to embrace the inherent uncertainties of providing advice in the context of live disputes and then going on to be the outwardly confident advocate in those disputes.’
‘Since being a mentee, I have participated in a few mentoring schemes as a mentor and always found the process extremely rewarding. Mentoring – whichever side of the fence one is on – is a hugely valuable exercise and something I would recommend to anyone in the profession. In particular, being a mentor helps me to remember what it is like to be new in the profession and how important it is to help the next generation of lawyers realise their incredible potential.’
Hopefully the above testimonials inspire pupils to apply for a mentor. All enquiries should be made to admin@chba.org.uk on the mentee (and mentor) forms available on www.chba.org.uk.
As also indicated on the ChBA website, our hope for the mentoring scheme is that members of the Chancery Bar Association of all seniorities will volunteer to act as mentors to others and that, in this way, we will create a support and advice network for practitioners at the Chancery Bar. Mentors in similar schemes implemented elsewhere have spoken of the satisfaction that they receive in giving something back to others in the profession.
This giving back is in the best traditions of public service at the Bar and sustains the profession.
David E. Grant KC practises from Outer Temple Chambers. He is a Chairman of the Chancery Bar Mentoring and Academic Liaison Sub-Committees and a member of the Bar Council Race Panel.
The Chancery Bar Association (ChBA) mentoring scheme is the oldest specialist Bar association (SBA) mentoring scheme and has been in operation since February 2009. The ChBA website describes mentoring and the SBA’s aspirations for the scheme as follows: Mentoring is a one-to-one non-judgmental relationship in which one individual (the mentor) voluntarily gives of their time to support, advise or encourage another (the mentee).
The main mentoring scheme is open to all ChBA members irrespective of seniority. People may wish a mentor for a variety of reasons including seeking advice about an application for silk or a judicial appointment, returning from parental leave and transferring to the Bar from another profession. The designated pupil mentoring scheme has been in operation since June 2020. It was borne of a realisation that, despite the fact that individual chambers invariably had their own internal support structures, there was a real need for and interest in an external scheme. As a pupil supervisor at the time of lockdown, I am all too aware of the pandemic’s impact on the concept of learning by osmosis and a pupil’s sense of isolation.
The end of lockdown has, however, not resolved the need for the pupil mentoring scheme. Having a mentor outside of one’s chambers provides the mentee with a wider perspective and the ability to ask questions of someone who will not be party to the decision whether to offer the mentee tenancy at the end of their pupillage. The scheme provides contact, support and exposure to the ChBA to practitioners whether or not in pure Chancery sets, whether in London or otherwise and irrespective of background, e.g. whether they have come straight from university, have transferred from another branch of the legal profession or have made a complete career change. The essence of any successful mentoring scheme is matching a mentee and mentor and commitment from both parties. Once the match has been made it is up to the mentor and mentee to develop the relationship and determine how often the mentoring is to be provided.
The success of the scheme can be measured by some of the testimonials from those who have benefitted.
‘I found the scheme to be extremely helpful. The most useful aspect was having a sounding board outside chambers, so that one could ask the questions that (no matter what you were told) really did seem too stupid to ask one’s supervisor. It also gave a perspective into how things might differ at other sets, which was particularly helpful in countering the tunnel-vision that can come from only having sources inside one’s own chambers. It also provided a very helpful outlet during the tenancy process, which can be stressful even if you have received largely positive feedback during pupillage.’
‘I came to the Bar in a slightly unusual way, having spent the first 15 years or so of my working life as a solicitor. Starting practice as a barrister was therefore an unusual mixture of the reassuringly familiar (telling people what a lease is) and the dauntingly new (standing up in court and trying to persuade a judge that a lease works in a particular way...). Having a mentor with whom I could raise concerns and of whom I could ask questions (no matter how ignorant) was hugely useful and a great source of comfort to me as I was starting out in my new career. If I were to identify one thing of particular value, it was learning that everyone in the profession has insecurities and realising that I needed to embrace the inherent uncertainties of providing advice in the context of live disputes and then going on to be the outwardly confident advocate in those disputes.’
‘Since being a mentee, I have participated in a few mentoring schemes as a mentor and always found the process extremely rewarding. Mentoring – whichever side of the fence one is on – is a hugely valuable exercise and something I would recommend to anyone in the profession. In particular, being a mentor helps me to remember what it is like to be new in the profession and how important it is to help the next generation of lawyers realise their incredible potential.’
Hopefully the above testimonials inspire pupils to apply for a mentor. All enquiries should be made to admin@chba.org.uk on the mentee (and mentor) forms available on www.chba.org.uk.
As also indicated on the ChBA website, our hope for the mentoring scheme is that members of the Chancery Bar Association of all seniorities will volunteer to act as mentors to others and that, in this way, we will create a support and advice network for practitioners at the Chancery Bar. Mentors in similar schemes implemented elsewhere have spoken of the satisfaction that they receive in giving something back to others in the profession.
This giving back is in the best traditions of public service at the Bar and sustains the profession.
Having a mentor outside of one’s chambers provides wider perspective without fear of judgment or consequences, says David E. Grant KC. The benefits of Chancery Bar Association’s designated scheme for pupils and appeal for more mentors to join
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