Wellbeing at the Bar

At Great James Street Chambers, we believe that the wellbeing of our members, pupils and staff is fundamental to the success of Chambers. We are committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and progressive working environment in which everyone feels valued, respected and empowered to thrive, both professionally and personally.

As a modern and forward-thinking set, we recognise that excellence at the Bar should not come at the expense of personal wellbeing. Our ethos is built upon mutual respect, open communication, flexibility and a genuine commitment to supporting the people who make up Chambers.

We understand the considerable pressures associated with working in the legal profession. Barristers, pupils and clerks regularly navigate demanding workloads, challenging cases, tight deadlines and the emotional responsibilities that accompany their respective roles. We believe that recognising these pressures, encouraging open conversations and providing meaningful support are essential to maintaining a healthy and sustainable working environment.

Our Chambers Ethos

At the heart of Great James Street Chambers is a strong sense of community and collegiality. We pride ourselves on maintaining a welcoming and approachable culture, where members, pupils and staff are encouraged to support one another and where individual circumstances are recognised and respected.

We understand that wellbeing is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Everyone faces different professional demands, personal responsibilities and challenges throughout their careers.

Our approach therefore focuses on flexibility, understanding and practical support, recognising that individuals are best placed to succeed when they feel supported in managing both their professional commitments and their lives outside work.

We actively encourage open communication between members and our clerking team, ensuring that concerns regarding workloads, professional pressures or personal circumstances can be discussed constructively and sensitively.

We believe that a positive Chambers culture is one in which people feel comfortable asking for support, confident that their concerns will be treated with compassion and understanding.

Flexibility and Work-Life Balance

We recognise that achieving a sustainable work-life balance can be particularly challenging in a profession where unpredictable schedules, urgent instructions and demanding workloads are commonplace.

Great James Street Chambers embraces a modern and flexible approach to working, recognising the importance of balancing professional commitments with family life, personal responsibilities and individual wellbeing.

As a virtual Chambers, our operating model provides opportunities for greater flexibility, allowing members to structure aspects of their professional lives around their individual circumstances while maintaining the high standards of service expected by our clients.

Our clerking team works closely with members to understand their professional objectives, availability and personal preferences, with a view to managing practices sustainably and supporting long-term career development.

Whether accommodating family commitments, supporting members through difficult personal circumstances or discussing adjustments to working arrangements, our approach is based upon collaboration, communication and mutual respect.

We recognise that flexibility is not simply a benefit, but an important part of creating a modern, inclusive and sustainable working environment.

Professional Counselling and Mental Health Support

In 2026, Great James Street Chambers further strengthened its commitment to wellbeing by introducing a Chambers-wide counselling and mental health support benefit for all members, pupils and staff.

Through our partnership with Spill, everyone within Chambers has access to professional mental health support and counselling services, providing an additional layer of support whenever it may be needed.

The introduction of this benefit reflects our recognition that the emotional demands of working within the legal profession can extend well beyond the courtroom.

Barristers may regularly deal with distressing evidence, difficult client circumstances, high-pressure advocacy and the demands of managing a self-employed practice. Equally, clerks and Chambers staff often balance competing professional responsibilities while providing practical and emotional support to members, solicitors and clients.

We recognise that these pressures can accumulate over time and that access to appropriate professional support should not depend on someone reaching a point of crisis.

Through Spill, members, pupils and staff can access:

• Professional counselling and therapy – confidential support from qualified mental health professionals.
• Accessible mental health assistance – opportunities to discuss personal or professional challenges in a safe and supportive environment.
• Dedicated counselling support – access to a dedicated counsellor, together with options for drop-in conversations and written guidance.
• Early intervention and preventative support – encouraging individuals to seek assistance before pressures become overwhelming.
• A confidential and independent service – enabling individuals to access support privately, without having to disclose personal concerns to Chambers.

The service is available to everyone across Chambers as an additional benefit, reflecting our commitment to ensuring that mental health support is accessible, inclusive and free from stigma.

We firmly believe that seeking support should be viewed as a positive and proactive step towards maintaining good mental health.
By investing in professional counselling services, we aim to create an environment where individuals feel reassured that their wellbeing matters.

Recognised Commitment to Wellbeing

Great James Street Chambers has been awarded the Bar Council’s Wellbeing at the Bar Certificate of Recognition, acknowledging our commitment to promoting and supporting wellbeing within Chambers.

The Certificate of Recognition celebrates organisations across the Bar that demonstrate a commitment to improving the wellbeing of barristers, clerks and staff through supportive policies, initiatives and working practices.

We are proud to have received this recognition, which reflects our belief that wellbeing must be embedded within Chambers’ culture rather than treated as a standalone initiative.

Our commitment extends beyond policies and formal procedures. It is reflected in our everyday approach to practice management, the relationships between members and staff, and our determination to create an environment where individuals feel supported throughout their careers.