Exchange Chambers

Exchange Chambers are committed to promoting equal opportunities for all, including members, pupils, employees and applicants to Chambers. We do not discriminate against anyone on the grounds of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, citizenship, gender, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, disability, age, religion or belief or indeed, on any other ground.

We are committed to offering opportunities for gaining experience and practice development to all pupils and members of Chambers equally without discrimination. We offer mini-pupillage and work experience opportunities throughout the year. Our members frequently attend schools and partake in a variety of different schemes and initiatives that promote and encourage social mobility.

A number of our barristers assist with the Social Mobility Foundation and act as mentors to students from diverse backgrounds. We are also a Partner Chamber in the Pegasus Access and Support Scheme (PASS), a leading programme designed by the Inner Temple to support aspiring barristers from under-represented backgrounds who have not yet started the BPTC.

We have ensured that Chambers is accessible to people using wheelchairs. We accommodate any requests for reasonable adjustments to assist disabled applicants.

We recognise the need to promote a positive and supportive community for both barristers and staff and to encourage a cohesive and collaborative culture. We have been recognised by the Bar Council for our commitment to Wellbeing at the Bar.

Other current and ongoing initiatives include:

• We run a mentoring programme in association with L8 A Better Place, a community development project based in Toxteth, Liverpool. Twenty-two of our members are actively involved in the programme, in which they are assigned a student from the local community. The mentoring scheme is aimed at students and young people who are interested in pursuing a career in law and would otherwise lack access to the legal profession.
• We operate a maternity and parental support mentoring network for our members. The network provides support for Chambers’ barristers during pregnancy, adoption or foster care, following the arrival of their child and in the lead up to and on return to practice or at any other stage of parenthood.
• We have a member that sits on the Bar Council’s Female Retention Committee, who focus on ensuring equality and diversity at the Bar with a particular focus on female barristers, ensuring a level playing field and examining issues that may prevent female barristers continuing practise at the Bar or progressing within the profession.

Pro Bono
For over five years we have been part of a pioneering pro-bono alliance with The National Autistic Society’s Education Rights Service. The Exchange Chambers team comprises 30 barristers, including two Queen’s Counsel with decades of experience fighting injustice, providing legal support to families with autistic children. Our barristers have undertaken autism awareness and special educational needs training from The National Autistic Society, and provide free legal representation before the Special Educational Needs Tribunal. We were awarded the Outstanding Family Support Award at the 2016 Autism Professionals Awards.