Serle Court is delighted to be participating in the COMBAR (The Commercial Bar Association) inaugural mentoring scheme for under-represented groups at the Bar, which is now open for applications.  The scheme is an important part of COMBAR’s and Serle Court’s commitment to improving access and diversity in the legal profession. 

“The promotion of diversity at the Commercial Bar is one of COMBAR’s core aims.  It is vital that the Commercial Bar recruits from the most talented future practitioners, including, in particular, those from backgrounds that have traditionally been under-represented.  This Mentoring Scheme will allow applicants from those backgrounds access to one-to-one mentoring with practitioners from 20 participating sets and is an important further step in promoting access and demonstrating that the Commercial Bar is open to all with the ability to succeed.  I am delighted at its launch and I want to thank all those involved in volunteering their time to make this happen.”

David Joseph QC, Chair of COMBAR

The scheme pairs successful eligible candidates with practitioners for a series of one-to-one mentoring sessions.  COMBAR also hopes to organise a pupillage interview, application workshop, and a social event, to which all mentors and mentees will be invited, in early 2023.

In order to reach a wider and more diverse pool of potential applicants, COMBAR will advertise the scheme through the careers departments of all English and Welsh universities with a law department, together with a number of universities in Scotland and Ireland, third sector organisations such as the Social Mobility Foundation and Sutton Trust, and commercial publications such as Legal Cheek.  

Applicants will be assessed by reference to their need for mentoring and their potential to pursue a career at the Bar.  A deliberate decision has been taken to give equal weighting to both of these criteria to help ensure that the scheme reaches talented applicants from the most under-represented communities who would benefit most from mentoring and guidance. 

Kathryn Purkis, Serle Court’s Chambers Director says: “Serle Court is committed to increasing diversity at the Bar and pleased to be part of this important initiative to help talented individuals from under-represented backgrounds access the profession. We very much look forward to working with COMBAR and with this year’s mentors and mentees.”

Applicants wishing to participate in the scheme are requested to complete the online application form here.

Application forms must be received by 4pm on Friday 16 September 2022.  COMBAR hopes that applicants will be informed as to whether or not they have been accepted onto the scheme within October 2022. 

Full details of the scheme can be found under Scheme Guidelines here.  Any other questions should be directed to: socialmobility@combar.com

Read more on our Equality Diversity & Outreach here.