Claire Durrant is a freelance social researcher, with an expertise in qualitative research and analysis, currently contracted by The University of Sussex. Valerie Charbit is a barrister based at Red Lion Chambers, and has a particular interest in mental health and well-being. She represented the Criminal Bar Association as Well-being Director. Nicola Shannon is a champion of diversity and well-being at the Bar, and has chaired the Bar Council’s Well-being at the Bar Working Group from 2023 – 2024. She is passionate about promoting positive working practices in the legal profession. Professor Robin Banerjee is a psychologist who works closely with practitioners and policymakers in the areas of education and mental health. He led the world’s largest ever public science project on kindness, "The Kindness Test," in partnership with the BBC.

In this presentation, the findings of an ongoing research project about the importance of kindness are shared. The preliminary work began in 2022, involving two online workshops with groups of barristers. The workshop was geared to gain insight into the nature of kindness, its importance in the workplace and individual differences. The project has continued, with a new phase of work emerging this year (2024), taking the form of a series of focus groups with different groups of barristers, from less experienced juniors to senior judges. In this presentation, preliminary findings and research methodology are shared. This includes findings about how kindness is conceptualised by barristers, a sense of collegiality, the personal and professional business of kindness in the workplace for barristers, and barriers such as competing pressures and a lack of time and resources. The presentation ends with ideas about how to promote kindness among barristers.

Key words/topics

Research

Kindness

Collegiality

Barristers

Occupational cultures

Promoting kindness

Focus groups

Thematic analysis

Impact driven research

Evidence led policy

Mental health