A family law barrister chambers has launched what it says is the Bar’s first ever Breastfeeding Policy to support mothers returning to work. The policy not only sets out practical and proactive solutions for breastfeeding mothers, but also encourages better understanding across the organisation on how to support breastfeeding colleagues.
4PB say mothers remain stigmatised on their return to work despite protection under the Equality act 2010. The Chambers points to a study by Reading University which suggested 36% of mother found combining breastfeeding with work difficult. The number of female barristers with primary care responsibilities for one or more children has increased to 41%
The Bar Council acknowledges the challenges of working women at the Bar in a series of reports recently published. Although its ‘Diversity at the Bar 2024’ report found more women are applying for and securing pupillage than men, a blog in identified women continue to leave the Bar at a greater rate than their male counterparts; and earn significantly less, and are less likely to take silk (the overall proportion of female KCs is low as compared to the percentage of female barristers at the Bar).
Charlotte Baker, Barrister at 4PB commented:
“When I was preparing to come back to work after having my daughter I spoke to friends and colleagues about their experiences of breastfeeding at the Bar. It was striking that those who had done so very recently had virtually the exact same experiences as those who had done so 30 plus years ago. Little seemed to have changed. Women were pumping furtively in toilets during their lunch break at court and making complex arrangements to store milk and lug it home.
“I am sure that breastfeeding is not the biggest problem that women face at the Bar, but the fact that this policy is the first of its kind does not reflect well on a profession that continues to struggle to retain and promote women.
“It took absolutely no persuasion to get 4PB to agree to be the first to produce such a policy, and to do so with expert assistance. The policy took a long time to construct because we did it carefully, surveying all of chambers and getting detailed feedback from members and staff with breastfeeding experience in order to ensure it is practical and realistic.
“I am really proud of it, and I hope other chambers will follow suit.”
4PB has a history of family-friendly working initiatives. In 2022 a new Parental Leave policy was introduced which ensured no members pay rent to Chambers during a period of full parental leave up to 12 months and for a further 12 months after their return; an initiative which was acknowledged as ‘one of the most progressive at the Bar’ at the time.
The new policy is designed to offer ‘practical and proactive solutions’ for members and staff which are discreet and flexible, but also to encourage a better understanding across 4PB as to how people can best support their breastfeeding colleagues, both in chambers and at court. The policy was produced with the expert assistance of Sally Rickard IBCLC to ensure it was evidence-based and reflected best practice.
Charles Hale KC, Head of Chambers at 4PB commented:
“As barristers, we understand the importance of advocating for justice, and that advocacy starts within our own workplace. Our Policy acknowledges that parenthood and a career are not mutually exclusive and that no one should have to choose between the two. Supporting breastfeeding isn’t just a policy, it’s a cultural commitment. We hope that by pioneering this initiative, we encourage other Chambers to do the same.”
