BDABar Two-Way Mentorship Scheme

BDABar runs an annual Two-Way Mentorship Scheme for disabled aspiring barristers and practising barristers at the Bar.

What is the Purpose of the BDABar Two-Way Mentorship Scheme?

  1. The primary purpose of the scheme is to enable aspiring disabled barristers to gain support from practising barrister in pursuing a career at the Bar.

  2. The secondary purpose is to allow practising barristers 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.

Mentorship will be individually tailored based on 

a) the mentee's stage on their journey to the Bar; and

b) the mentee's interested area(s) of practice.

The mentorship scheme lasts 10 months, though many mentors/mentees continue to keep in contact with one another beyond the scope of our scheme.

  • The approachability and understanding of my mentor has been great.

    Mentee from our 2023/24 cycle

  • [My mentor] has been incredible. Extremely supportive and has made huge efforts to see me become successful.

    Mentee from our 2023/24 cycle

  • My mentor has given me the confidence to think big and apply to some very prestigious universities for postgraduate study. [They were] extremely encouraging and helpful.

    Mentee from our 2023/24 cycle

For Students

The BDABar Two-Way Mentorship Scheme is open to anyone 18 and older considering a career at the Bar. This may include those:

  • Studying the LLB or GDL course,

  • Studying a non-law degree with a view to coming to the Bar,

  • Considering a change of career to the Bar,

  • Those intending to participate in the pupillage cycle in 2024/25.

You can now apply for the BDABar Two-Way Mentorship Scheme 2024-2025 below. Applications will close on the 10th December 2024.

If you require an accessible version of the form, please contact the Schemes Team at schemes@bdabar.org

Please note that an expression of interest does not equate to signing up. Due to the scarcity of opportunities, we regret that not all candidates may matched with a mentor.

For Barristers

The BDABar Two-Way Mentorship Scheme is open to all practising barristers in England and Wales. Mentors must be committed to improving diversity at the Bar and be willing to learn more about issues affecting disabled individuals.

Mentors are expected to meet their mentees virtually at least once per month.

You can now apply for the BDABar Two-Way Mentorship Scheme 2024-2025 below. Applications will close in early November 2024.

If you require an accessible version of the form, please contact the Schemes Team at schemes@bdabar.org