The members and staff at 7 King’s Bench Walk are deeply committed to promoting and advancing equality of opportunity and diversity within Chambers and at the Commercial Bar more generally. We recognise that continued success depends on sustaining an inclusive culture and maintaining a working environment in which everyone is treated equally and fairly. We also recognise the need for the profession to be representative of society as a whole and are committed to promoting access to talented individuals from all backgrounds. We are continually seeking to identify improvements to our procedures and policies which will assist in furthering equality and diversity and enable us to better understand how we can attract talented individuals from traditionally under-represented groups.
See further details of our policies. Further details of our approach to recruitment and about the experience of women at 7KBW can be found on the Recruitment & Pupillage and Gender equality: women at 7KBW pages.
7 King’s Bench Walk is committed to being an anti-racist organisation. Recent wider social developments have impressed upon us the need to examine more closely what we can do, both as individuals and as an organisation, to tackle racial injustice and eliminate racism in its many forms. We are continually considering what further steps we can take to produce meaningful and lasting change. Please view our Anti-Racism Statement.
7 King’s Bench Walk places a high value on the wellbeing of all members, pupils and staff. We strive to be a friendly and welcoming environment, in which every individual feels supported and respected throughout their career. We have a reputation as a collegiate place, where members and staff take time to look out for one another. Members’ doors are always open. We also have a mentoring scheme to support new tenants in the first two or three years of practice, as well as those returning to Chambers after a period of parental leave. Chambers has an active social committee and a regular programmne of activities including Friday night drinks and Chambers’ tea, which provides regular opportunities for members and staff to socialise in a relaxed environment.
Our commitment to promoting a healthy work-life balance is reflected in our generous parental leave, special leave, career break and flexible working policy. We recognise the particular challenges that face those who have to combine caring responsibilities with a career at the Commercial Bar. We strive to support our members in achieving a balance that works for them as individuals, and we are proud that many of our members are able successfully to combine a fulfilling career with family life.
We are prepared and willing to make reasonable adjustments where this will assist people with disabilities to use Chambers’ services. Professional clients should identify to Chambers in advance any disabilities of particular clients which may require adjustments and/or adjustments that may be necessary to accommodate the needs of particular clients. Any such requests should be made to a senior clerk.
We are pleased to publish, as required by the Bar Standards Board, diversity data relating to the barristers and staff in Chambers. The latest data was collected in 2022. See the most recent summary of Chambers’ anonymised data.