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4 September 2020Influential Women in IPMuireann Bolger

Bar Standards Board launches reverse mentoring scheme

The  Bar Standards Board (BSB) has unveiled a pilot reverse mentoring programme, in which student and pupil barristers from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds will mentor senior white barristers. The  scheme, launched on September 2, is designed to foster a more inclusive culture at the bar, by providing an insight into people’s experiences of racism and pairing individuals who might not otherwise have come together. The first pairing will be between Elisha Lindsay, a black female bar student and race equality activist, and Paul Stanley of  Essex Court Chambers. The scheme has been developed by...

...the BSB’s  Race Equality Taskforce, which was formed in June 2019 to advise the BSB on the development of strategy, policy and activity to improve  race equality in the profession. Its members are: Amit Popat (chair), Mark Neale, Ben Burns, Leslie Thomas, Paul Stanley, Marcia Shekerdemian, Sara Ibrahim and Laurie-Anne Power.

According to the BSB’s latest annual  Diversity at the Bar report, the proportion of BAME barristers generally declines at higher levels of seniority, with an ongoing disparity between the overall percentage of BAME barristers across the profession (13.6%), and the percentage of BAME Queen’s Counsel (8.1%).

Lindsay said: “Initiating a programme that brings together the concept of diversity in a tangible and practical way is something I never thought would be achievable. Seeing how receptive members of the bar are to hearing and learning about anti-racist practices and achieving true diversity within the bar gives me hope for a more inclusive environment”.

Her mentee, Stanley, said: “It is a privilege to be able to be involved in this ground-breaking initiative. Being mentored by Elisha gives me a golden opportunity to learn from her experience and insight, and to challenge my own preconceptions and prejudices. I know it will make me a better anti-racist ally, and help me to change myself and the profession for the better.”

The BSB’s head of equality and access to justice and chair of the taskforce, Amit Popat, said: “This is the first race equality reverse mentoring scheme launched at the bar. It presents a new and innovative approach to promoting inclusion, which we believe will benefit both established and aspiring barristers, while making a meaningful cultural change.”

She added: “To all BAME bar students and senior barristers from white backgrounds who wish to practically support an anti-racist agenda, I would strongly encourage you to sign up”.

The taskforce is now seeking volunteers to take part in the scheme. More information, including details about how to apply, is available on the BSB  website.

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