Equality and Diversity

Equality and Diversity

At 9BR Chambers we believe that access to the Bar should be open to all, regardless of background, age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. We are opposed to all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, victimisation and harassment. Drawing on the stability of decades of successful domestic criminal practice, and our leading experience in international criminal and human rights law, we have worked hard to adapt to meet the growing needs of a diverse society. To meet this challenge, we have in recent years seen a rapid increase in recruitment of women and members of ethnic minorities, achieved through modernised selection procedures free from prejudice that place merit above background. Despite 9BR Chambers’ expansion in recent years we operate in a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. We realise that a diverse Chambers like ours comprises many different individuals: to maximise individual potential we support individual needs with tolerance and respect, and will not differentiate between tenants, pupils, staff, professional or lay clients in that regard

We adhere to our obligation to regular Diversity Data collection and record our results with the Bar Council. Current results (December 2022) may be accessed here.

Our commitment to Equality and Diversity is reflected in a comprehensive policy which applies equally to barristers, pupils, mini-pupils, staff, pupillage and tenancy and staff applicants. Our policy is fully consonant with obligations imposed by the Bar Code of Conduct and may be accessed here.

All barristers and staff are obliged to receive regular Equality and Diversity training and those involved in recruitment and selection are equally obliged to take specialist recruitment training.

In conjunction with our Equality and Diversity policy, Chambers adheres to sub-policies on the following:

• Fair Access to Work
• Harassment
• Parental Leave
• Flexible Working
• Reasonable Adjustments
• Equality Monitoring

Chambers Equality and Diversity Officers are Alex Krikler and Nutan Fatania. Our Diversity Data Officer is Lauriane Noumbessi.

Download Equality and Diversity Policy here

Anti-Racist Statement

9BR Chambers  is committed to ensuring  fairness and equality and does not tolerate racism, adhering to the Bar Standards Board Anti-Racist Statement 2020[1].  We are dedicated to improving equality, diversity and inclusion without prejudice or discrimination in any form.

Led by our Management Committee and Equality and Diversity officers, a key part of the commitment is to create an approach in which we maintain a zero-tolerance approach to any form of racism; the effects of any conscious or unconscious bias, intended or unintended, and condemn all discriminatory behaviour.

We are committed as a Chambers to taking positive steps to improve access to the Bar and to improve racial diversity within chambers. We understand that anti-racism is about more than refraining from racial and ethnic discrimination; it also includes learning about the extent and effects of racism, identifying any incidences and taking pro-active steps to challenge racism wherever we find it.

More specifically over the last twelve Months chambers has: 

• Participated in the 10,000 Black Interns Initiative Programme which involved hosting interns to provide opportunities for young Black people at the Bar of England and Wales. Chambers are continuing to support this programme in 2025. 
• The Equality and Diversity Officers monitor fair allocation of work throughout the year, reviewing data against the overall consideration of fairness and equality. 
• The Equality and Diversity Committee annually review all polices to ensure they serve all Members of Chambers fairly and promote equality and diversity. 
• ll Members of Chambers who participate in recruitment of any capacity are required to undertake Fair Recruitment Training annually which includes a focus on principles of inclusion without prejudice or discrimination in any form. 

9BR Chambers aim is to create a culturally diverse work environment where members, employees, staff and clients can feel comfortable and thrive knowing that they will not be subjected to discrimination in any form.