12KBW is committed to the Equality and Diversity Code for the Bar. We promote a culture where the individual is fairly treated and respected, and diversity is appreciated.
It is our policy to ensure, both individually and collectively, that we do not practice or permit any form of discrimination, whether direct, indirect, or by way of victimisation, against any person, or any harassment of any person.
Making a difference
12KBW’s Anti-Racism Statement
12 KBW is committed to ensuring fairness and equality. We recognise our role in society as a source of access to justice, and we reject racism in all its forms.
We are committed to the promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion within our organisation, the legal profession, and the community we serve. As a Chambers, we embrace our obligation to listen to those around us and to make positive changes.
We are committed to adhering to the Bar Standards Board’s Anti-Racist Statement. We will continue to review how we work, to encourage inclusion, and to support initiatives that foster diversity. We commit to rigorously challenging those individuals who behave in ways that are contrary to our values.
12KBW’s Race Action Plan
Following the recent request by the Bar Council that all chambers produce and adopt a Race Action Plan, 12KBW is proud to announce the publication of its own Plan which sets out our chambers’ commitment to the promotion of racial diversity and inclusion at the Bar. This plan follows our Anti-Racism statement and forms part of our broader commitment to diversity more generally.
Charter for Fairness in Work Allocation
Chambers has adopted the Charter for Fairness in Work Allocation, Career Development, Marketing and Earnings.
12KBW has been actively promoting and monitoring fair allocation of work and is strongly committed to seeing real change by helping to advance the careers of all our members equally.
This charter comes as a welcomed guide for best practice.
Social Mobility
At 12KBW we believe in contributing to society. 12KBW members, pupil barristers and staff support a number of charitable organisations; through volunteering their time, fundraising or simply making a donation.
Chambers itself has as part of its core values a commitment to contributing to its community.
Areas which have drawn particularly strong support from chambers have been the promotion of social mobility in the legal profession and pro bono work.
In addition, 12KBW is a proud supporter of and participant in the Bar Council’s Bar Placement Scheme in conjunction with the Social Mobility Foundation.
Bar Council: “For a decade, the Bar Placement Scheme has been placing talented sixth form students from non-traditional backgrounds with barristers for a period of work experience”.
The scheme allows participating students to spend a week experiencing life at the Bar which includes 3.5 days with a nominated barrister.
Chambers’ objective is to encourage those children to consider higher education as an achievable and attractive aim.
12KBW’s barristers regularly give legal careers talks and practical advocacy exercises for secondary school students.
Advocate (formerly the Bar Pro Bono Unit)
Members of Chambers regularly undertake pro bono work, including via the Free Representation Unit (FRU) and Employment Lawyers Appeals Advice Scheme (ELAAS)
Advocate is a charity which helps to find pro bono (free) legal assistance from volunteer barristers. The assistance can cover advice and/or representation at mediation or hearings. Pro bono assistance is only available to those who cannot afford to pay and who cannot obtain public funding.
Chambers members and staff are regular participants in and supporters of the London Legal Walk.
London Living Wage
Chambers is an accredited London Living Wage employer. This means that all employees and contracted staff will be paid at or above a minimum hourly rate which is set annually by the Living Wage foundation and calculated by the Greater London Authority.
If you would like to read more about 12KBW’s Equality and Diversity Code, please contact chambers@12kbw.co.uk
Learn more about ‘I am the Bar’
About the Bar Placement Scheme
