5KBW is committed to diversity and inclusion in every aspect of our work and culture.
This applies to the way we engage and interact with clients, instructing solicitors and professional bodies, witnesses, opponents, court staff and members of the judiciary. It also applies to our working environment and colleagues.
We set out to provide equality of opportunity and treatment regardless of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, citizenship, sex, gender re-assignment, sexual orientation, marital or civil partnership status, age, disability, religion or belief, political persuasion, pregnancy or maternity.
Our Diversity and Inclusion Committee is committed to providing a work environment in which all individuals, clients and the public are treated with dignity and respect. The committee shapes chambers’ policies, conducts internal reviews and surveys, organises training sessions, build partnerships with third parties and works on outreach to ensure that 5KBW is a place of diversity and inclusion. While we are always looking to improve our Diversity and Inclusion practices and their impact on chambers, we are proud to be able to evidence our progress in broadening access to careers at the Bar:
These are extremely important policies for our individual members and to chambers as a whole. We are committed to encouraging and supporting our members and staff following the birth or adoption of a child and enabling them to continue to build successful practices. Our policies are under constant review by our committees to incorporate updates, reviews, legislation and new guidance provided by the BSB, Bar Council and other professional bodies. This includes, for example, the recent Key Pledges by “Women In Criminal Law” relating to working practices at court, fertility, parenting and menopause. Most importantly, these are kept under review to incorporate feedback from individual members of chambers.
5KBW will consider any reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities working with Chambers or receiving our legal services. Some areas of our building may not be suitable for those with mobility issues, but we are always willing and prepared to visit clients at an alternative venue or can make suitable arrangements to ensure all needs are met.
Please contact our Administrator, Nicki Crew, if you would like to discuss any specific needs.
In line with our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we undertake outreach work to ensure that a career at the Criminal Bar is accessible and open to all. This includes work within the Inns of Court outreach programmes for students at universities across the country as well working with schools to encourage and teach the use of advocacy and debating from an early age.
Members of chambers run and participate in advocacy programmes in schools across London with a focus on mentoring pupils for a future career at the Bar as well teaching skills necessary for such a career.
Many members of chambers also act individually as mentors for prospective barristers and volunteer their time through their Inns of Court or separate partnerships.
Examples of our outreach initiatives include:
5KBW partners with the 10,000 Black Interns Foundation, which provides paid internships for Black students and graduates looking to build a career at the Bar. 5KBW has a long-standing partnership with the foundation, funding places for annual summer internships and providing career mentorship.
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Over a number of years Chambers has partnered with Bridging the Bar, an organisation that assists in levelling the playing field for those applying to the Criminal Bar.
For a number of years, 5KBW has partnered with the London Academy of Excellence, an academically selective school based in Tottenham, Haringey. Members of chambers, including members of the Diversity and Inclusion Committee, have committed to providing career mentoring, insight into law events and work experience for students. We have held annual advocacy competitions in which students don the wig and gown and role-play barrister in front of their peers.
Chambers also works closely with the Academy’s alumni department to help former students launch their careers at the Bar. Over the years there have been many successful partnerships with students and alumni, enabling them to gain real-life access to the courtroom and using advocacy as a tool to build confidence from an early age.
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For further information, please contact Nicki Crew for a copy of the chambers’ written statement on Diversity and Inclusion.