"The clerking team is brilliant: they are very responsive and if a particular counsel can't help they are very proactive in suggesting others who are suitable." 

Anti Racist Statement

Byrom Street Chambers is committed to being an anti-racist organisation and employer.

 

Our Head of Chambers, Winston Hunter KC chairs the Northern Circuit Race Working Group and is a member of the Bar Council Race Working Group.

 

We fully support the recommendations in the Race at the Bar Report [here] and the Northern Circuit Race Working Group Report [here]. We take note of the valuable work by the University of Manchester into Racial Bias and the Bench. [here].

 

We operate a zero-tolerance policy with respect to discrimination of any kind.

 

BSC is a small set specialised set of practitioners, the majority of whose members hold part–time judicial roles at all levels of the judiciary. From this position, we recognise the particular responsibility  to take proactive action to recognise, challenge and address existing and systemic unfairness at the Bar and in the legal system within which we work.

 

We benefit from a low turnover of members and staff.  Our Heads of Chambers have been drawn from minority ethnic backgrounds over the years, however we recognise the need to take proactive steps to maintain and promote a diverse team no matter what role or position within BSC.

 

We encourage and welcome applications for membership and to our support staff from Black, minority ethnic, disadvantaged and under-represented groups.

 

This statement should be read in conjunction with BSC’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Statement. BSC has committed to a Race, Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Action Plan which incorporates the following features:

 

  • Creation of an internal Race, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Working Group, led by Members of Chambers and Staff
  • Support for Northern Circuit Initiatives on Race and entry to/retention within the profession
  • Supporter of the 10,000 Black Interns programme
  • Participation in training on the Northern Circuit and support for similar initiatives via the Inns of Court
  • Provision of mini-pupillages/work experience via the Social Mobility Foundation and Bar Placement Scheme
  • Collaboration with the Apprentice Academy to provide work experience
  • Within-Chambers events in collaboration with the Judiciary
  •  Provision of training to members of Chambers and staff in Race and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion issues
  • Gathering and publishing of Diversity Data. To view our diversity data, click [here]
  • We are committed to reviewing our initiatives to ensure they are effective.

 

Updated November 2022. 

 

 

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