2 June 2014
The requirement for every member of chambers' selection panels to have received training in fair recruitment processes comes into force on 1 July 2014.
The rule - first announced in 2012 - has so far only applied to the lead person responsible for the selection panel and at least one other panel member.
Training is defined in the Handbook as "any course of study covering all the following areas:
- Fair and effective selection and unconscious bias;
- Fair and effective selection and avoiding unconscious bias;
- Attraction and advertising;
- Application processes;
- Shortlisting skills;
- Interviewing skills;
- Assessment and making a selection decision; and
- Monitoring and evaluation."
Training may be undertaken in a variety of ways including by participating in classroom sessions, online courses, or through the private study of relevant materials.
Barristers can comply with this rule by studying the Bar Council's "Fair Recruitment Guide", which covers all the required areas, in their own time. Compliance will be monitored via the Bar Standards Board's chambers supervision system.
The Fair Recruitment Guide is free to download from http://www.barcouncil.org.uk/fair-recruitment-guide
The BSB recommends that at least one panel member should attend an appropriate classroom course. For details of appropriate courses, please contact the Bar Council Equality team via 0207 611 1310 or email [email protected].
ENDS
