9BR Chambers

At 9 Bedford Row we believe that access to the Bar should be open to all, regardless of background, age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, victimisation and harassment. Drawing on the stability of decades of successful domestic criminal practice, and our leading experience in international criminal and human rights law, we have worked hard to adapt to meet the growing needs of a diverse society. To meet this challenge we have in recent years seen a rapid increase in recruitment of women and members of ethnic minorities, achieved through modernised selection procedures free from prejudice that place merit above background. Despite Chambers’ expansion in recent years we operate in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. We realise that a diverse Chambers like ours comprises many different individuals: to maximise individual potential we support individual needs with tolerance and respect, and will not differentiate between tenants, pupils, staff, professional or lay clients in that regard

We adhere to our obligation to regular Diversity Data collection and record our results with the Bar Council.

Our commitment to Equality and Diversity is reflected in a comprehensive policy which applies equally to members of Chambers, pupils, mini-pupils, staff, pupillage and tenancy and staff applicants. Our policy is fully consonant with obligations imposed by the Bar Code of Conduct. All members of Chambers and staff are obliged to receive regular Equality and Diversity training and those involved in recruitment and selection are equally obliged to take specialist recruitment training.

In conjunction with our Equality and Diversity policy Chambers adheres to sub-policies on the following:

• Fair Access to Work
• Harassment
• Parental Leave
• Flexible Working
• Reasonable Adjustments
• Equality Monitoring

Chambers is proud of its partnership with the Social Mobility Foundation, and regularly hosts seminars for both sixth form and undergraduate students from under-privileged and/or ethnic backgrounds, as well as providing e-mentor assistance to aspiring lawyers.

Chambers Equality and Diversity Officers are Alex Krikler and Nutan Fatania. Our Diversity Data Officer is Julian Bradley.