Equitable Briefing Policy launch

The Bar of Ireland will launch its Equitable Briefing Policy on March 2, 2023. The Policy – approved by Council in June 2022 – reflects the work of our counterparts in Australia, New Zealand, and England and Wales. The initiative invites briefing entities to consider gender when formulating panels, once skill, experience and seniority have been satisfied. This initiative comes at a time when briefing entities are already considering initiatives that arise from their own environmental, social and governance goals, and the increasing focus of clients on such matters.

How the Policy will work

While respecting that the ultimate decision rests with the client, the Equitable Briefing Policy simply asks that all reasonable efforts are made to include female counsel with the requisite seniority, expertise, and experience in the relevant practice area, in discussions with clients.

Once adopted by firms and legal departments, they will receive ongoing support from The Bar of Ireland. In addition, participating entities are invited to take part in an annual anonymised data collection process to track their progress and identify future supports that may be required. Barristers, too, are invited to commit to the policy and to consider gender in their recommendations and handovers.

How the Bar is supporting signatories

The Bar of Ireland recognises its role in ensuring the success of this Policy through continuous monitoring, expanded member profiles, and improved search functionality on www.lawlibrary.ie. It will ensure that solicitors can locate suitably qualified counsel across all areas and jurisdictions of practice. The hosting of joint events and CPDs with firms will also help to maximise exposure to the expertise available at the Bar, and provide counsel and solicitors with networking opportunities.

In addition, our Professional Development Programme will continue to deliver supports in respect of mentoring and practice development skills in 2022/2023.

In advance of the official launch, a number of member-specific briefings will

be held and notified through In Brief

The Policy will be officially launched at 5.00pm on March 2 at The Bar of Ireland in the Distillery Building, Dublin 7. Firms, in-house counsel and barristers are invited to attend.

n Register your attendance at https://ti.to/BarofIreland/equitablebriefing-policy-launch or scan the QR code: n Read about the Policy at www.lawlibrary.ie/equitable-briefing.