Barbara Mills KC has made history as the first Black woman to be appointed Chair of the Bar Council of England and Wales. In her inaugural speech, Mills outlined her vision to raise the profile of family law and advocate for stronger wellbeing practices within the Bar. With her leadership, she is set to focus on critical issues such as family justice, violence against women and girls, and diversity.
Promoting Family Justice and Addressing Legal Aid Gaps
Barbara Mills KC emphasized the need for greater investment in family justice. She noted that family courts, which handle crucial cases involving human relationships, are often underfunded, resulting in delays and denied access to legal representation. “At times, as much as 40% of family dispute cases have no legal representation,” she said. This lack of access to legal aid results in an inefficient justice system, which she describes as costing lives, delaying cases, and creating uncertainty.
Mills advocates for clearer definitions and preventive measures when it comes to violence against women and girls (VAWG). She expressed her concern over the rising rates of domestic abuse, urging the government to fund the family courts adequately. She also highlighted the findings of the 2021 Femicide Census, which revealed that 147 women were killed, with nearly half of these deaths linked to abusive relationships. For Mills, these deaths underscore the urgent need for more comprehensive action and investment in family justice.
Focusing on Wellbeing for Barristers
Another central aspect of Mills’ agenda is improving wellbeing across the Bar. She addressed the intense pressures faced by barristers, especially those handling emotionally charged family law cases. Vicarious trauma, she pointed out, is a common challenge in the profession, which can negatively affect both performance and mental health. Mills is committed to normalizing wellbeing practices, seeing them as essential rather than a sign of weakness.
“We need to treat wellbeing with the same importance as other professional standards,” Mills stated. She aims to create a culture where proactive measures, such as coaching and supervision, are integral to daily practice. She also emphasized that wellbeing efforts should be a permanent part of the profession, rather than just a passing trend.
Advancing Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion (DEI)
Mills also highlighted the importance of diversity, equality, and inclusion (DEI) within the Bar. She sees DEI efforts as directly linked to the wellbeing of the profession and plans to focus on the “three A’s”: awareness, acceptance, and action. While acknowledging differing views on DEI within the Bar, Mills is committed to fostering dialogue and promoting fairness for all barristers, regardless of their backgrounds.
Her approach aims to address systemic issues such as bullying and harassment within the legal profession, as well as disparities in pay. She believes that everyone in the profession should be treated with respect and dignity. Mills is calling for concrete actions to ensure that the Bar is not only diverse but also inclusive and fair for all its members.
A Leader Committed to Change
Mills, who co-leads a family law team at 4 Paper Buildings, is committed to driving change across several areas of the Bar. Her leadership represents a shift in the profession toward greater focus on the human aspects of law, including mental health, diversity, and the accessibility of justice.
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