Outer Temple Chambers

Diversity

Outer Temple Chambers is committed to increasing diversity at the Bar. Guided by the Bar Standard’s Board’s Equality and Diversity Rules, we hold regular E&D meetings to monitor diversity data, review policies and maintain standards . We continue to hold the Investors in People Platinum Award.

We operate a mentoring scheme for junior members. Regular ‘Women in Law’ meetings are held with female barristers and staff to ensure a healthy working environment. We are also proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

Outer Temple is also a Mindful Employer, which provides guidelines, training and advice on mental health issues. Rebecca Priestley, our CEO, is Non-Executive Director on the Board of the City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA), committed to the promotion of mental well-being and destigmatising mental ill health.

We encourage applications from groups under-represented at the Bar such as women, ethnic minorities and those with a disability. We have no preference for an undergraduate law degree over the conversion course. We welcome applications from transferring solicitors, qualified legal practitioners and legal academics wishing to transfer to the Bar.

Chambers manages its pupillage selection process through the Pupillage Gateway. Applications undergo an anonymised paper sift where candidates are scored on ability, potential, motivation, commitment and compatibility with Chambers. We aim to interview all disabled applicants who meet our minimum criteria. Chambers also operates an X-Factor style assessment at the paper sift stage to identify non-traditional but exceptional candidates. These candidates will be interviewed even if they do not achieve the necessary score.

We run an 18-month pupillage scheme in conjunction with the Free Representation Unit (FRU). Assessors have no regard to, or knowledge of, employment history, education, pastimes and interests.

Outer Temple Chambers has joined the Bridging the Bar Initiative to offer a mini-pupillage programme for those candidates from a range of underrepresented backgrounds, including from low-income/first-generation university, BAME, LGBTQ+ and more. We are pleased to take students through the joint initiative organised through the Social Mobility Foundation and the Bar Council. This provides bright students from disadvantaged backgrounds with the opportunity to get an insight into a career at the Bar.

Pro Bono and CSR

Outer Temple Chambers provides pro bono advice via Advocate and has a nominated pro bono champion to encourage contributions in a range of ways. We also provide some pro bono work via Free Representation Unit and have participated in fundraising events for this charity.

Every year Outer Temple Chambers members and staff take part in the London Legal Walk to raise funds for the Legal Support Trust, which distributes monies to the Bar Pro Bono Unit, the Free Representation Unit and other legal law charities to provide support to the poorest and most vulnerable people who need legal assistance.

Outer Temple Chambers has a long association with Spinal Injuries Association, raising awareness and funds for their work. Members also support Headway in various ways including fundraising events and art commissions.