The primary purpose of the scheme is to enable aspiring barristers, with any form of disability, to gain support from a practising barrister in their pursuit of a career at the Bar. The secondary purpose of the BDABar Two-Way Mentorship Scheme is to give the opportunity to practising barristers, and their Chambers or employers, to gain an insight into their mentee’s disabilities and the various hurdles that they encounter in their pursuit of a career at the Bar.
The BDABar Two-Way Mentorship Scheme is open to those who are 18 years old and above, and identify as disabled. Mentees need to be in one of the following career stages:
- Undergraduate degree (law or non-law degree)
- GDL
- Postgraduate
- Bar Course
- Seeking Pupillage
- Undertaking Pupillage
Mentors will be practicing Barristers in England and Wales.Â
How to apply
The application system for mentees will be flexible and prospective mentees will be asked to share relevant information to support their application; relevant information will include academic attainment, work experience, volunteering, whether they have joined a Bar-related mentorship program previously, and professional experience. Importantly, prospective mentees will also be invited to share any mitigating circumstances which they consider relevant to their application.
Within the application form, there will also be a section where individuals can express the areas of legal practice that they are interested in. Moreover, within the application form there will be questions on why applicants want to join the Bar and how they feel that this program will be beneficial to them.Â
Please note that the next round of mentorship scheme will open on Saturday 1st July 2023 and close on 31 July 2023.
Full details of the scheme and application forms can be found in the Scheme Guidelines.
