Baby barristers welcome at new Bar nursery

The Bar Council has launched a central London childcare facility, in recognition of the fact that "many barristers in the current climate with caring responsibilities are feeling under growing pressure".

The Bar Nursery at Smithfield House (run in partnership with Smithfield House Children's Nursery) will offer flexible childcare near the Inns of Court, with special rates for all members of the Bar as well as chambers' staff and Bar Council employees. Children aged between the ages of eight weeks and five years will be welcome, and the nursery will be open from 7:00am until 7:00pm - the longer hours acknowledging the fact that many barristers travel around the country to different courts.

Chairman of the Bar, Maura McGowan QC, said: "The Bar Council is committed to supporting parents and ensuring that the profession retains its best people. Owing to the nature of work at the Bar, many parents find it exceptionally difficult to juggle childcare responsibilities with their ever-changing work schedule, particularly those barristers who regularly appear in court, which can mean travelling to different towns every day. It is important that members of the profession are not discouraged from starting a family because of their work, which could have a detrimental effect particularly on the number of women choosing a career at the Bar, and could see talented practitioners leaving the self-employed Bar for a more stable working life in employed practice, or even another profession."

Other nurseries may be established outside London, depending on demand.