The Women at the Scottish Bar Careers Clinic received positive acclaim when it was launched by the Faculty of Advocates last year. Participants took part in one-on-one confidential conversations with female advocates to find out more about planning their journey to the bar.

“This was an extremely worthwhile and helpful experience,” said a participant from the inaugural event. “As a woman from a working-class background, I had very little opportunity to interact with advocates, particularly in a slightly more informal setting.

“The clinic has helped me to have similar opportunities to those who already have access to senior members of the legal profession for support and guidance. I think this is an excellent way of promoting social mobility and diversity at the bar.”

Another said of her experience last year: “Having a confidential discussion with a member of the bar who could address some of the specific concerns/ worries I have about pursuing devilling was invaluable.

“Specifically, I have been unsure about how I could practically balance having young children with an early career at the bar and found it very helpful to learn about the experiences of the advocate who spoke with me as part of the careers clinic.

“She has also very kindly put me in touch with a junior with young children to discuss further. I now feel I can make a much more informed decision about balancing an advocacy career with my family circumstances.”

The careers clinic is one of several initiatives aligned with the Faculty of Advocates’ commitment to promote and encourage diversity at the Scottish bar. Currently only around 30 percent of advocates are women.

“Much remains to be done to address parity between women and men at the bar and I am delighted that Faculty will hold its careers clinic again this year,” said Ruth Crawford KC, treasurer at the Faculty of Advocates.

“All women interested in a career as an advocate should attend. It provides us with an invaluable opportunity to talk to women about the opportunities available at the bar in a confidential setting and hopefully correct any misconceptions. It also enables us to listen to and learn from potential future advocates about what more we can do to promote and encourage diversity and inclusion at Faculty,” she said.

This year’s Women at the Scottish Bar Careers Clinic will be held online on the evening of Thursday 30 May 2024.

To attend participants should be either a trainee or a qualified solicitor in practice in either Scotland or another jurisdiction. Women wanting to register their interest in attending should complete the form available here and email it to deans.secretariat@advocates.org.uk by Wednesday 22 May 2024.