During 2017 the Young Barristers' Committee will be as active as ever in representing the Young Bar at the Bar Council, on Circuit and at Specialist Bar Associations. We are your Committee, so feel free to get in touch at YBC@youngbarhub.com if there are issues you would like to raise at any level.
The YBC is one of the main representative Committees of The General Council of the Bar. Led by a Chair and Vice-Chair, it comprises elected members of the Bar Council — both employed and self-employed barristers — under seven years' Call, as well as co-opted barristers ensuring representation from different practice areas.
When it comes to representing the interests of pupils and young practitioners, the Committee works closely with the Bar Council, Circuit leaders, and Specialist Bar Associations to ensure your voice is heard at every level of the profession.
The Young Barristers' Committee serves as a vital link between early-career barristers and the wider structures of the profession. Whether you are a newly called barrister, a pupil, or an established practitioner in your early years of practice, the Committee exists to represent your interests and concerns. It brings together both employed and self-employed barristers from across circuits and specialist associations, ensuring that the voice of the young bar is heard clearly at the Bar Council and beyond. This representative function is central to shaping policy, professional standards, and the future direction of the Bar as a whole.
Navigating the early years of a barrister's career presents unique challenges, from building a practice and managing financial pressures to maintaining wellbeing and balancing professional obligations. The Young Bar Toolkit has been developed specifically to address these realities, drawing on the collective experience of practitioners, clerks, pupil supervisors, and solicitors. It offers practical guidance on a wide range of topics including practice management, tax and financial planning, professional conduct, and handling the demands of pupillage. This resource is designed to support barristers as they establish themselves in a demanding but rewarding profession.
Wellbeing and professional resilience are increasingly recognised as essential components of a sustainable career at the Bar. The Young Barristers' Committee actively promotes awareness of mental health issues and encourages a culture where barristers can seek support without stigma. From managing the pressures of court work to navigating the uncertainties of early practice, the Committee provides guidance and signposts resources that help barristers maintain a healthy balance. This commitment to wellbeing is woven throughout the work of the Committee and reflects a broader recognition within the profession that looking after oneself is integral to effective practice.
Engagement with the wider legal community is a cornerstone of professional development for young barristers. Through events, conferences, and opportunities for pro bono work and volunteering, the Young Bar Hub connects barristers with colleagues across the profession. These activities not only build networks and relationships but also open doors to new areas of practice and collaboration. The Committee encourages all young barristers to take an active role in the life of the Bar, whether through circuit activities, specialist bar associations, or direct involvement with the Bar Council's ongoing consultations and policy discussions.