Chambers' Social Responsibility

Dere Street Barristers’ Charitable Trust

Many Barristers at Dere Street have committed to donating a percentage of their gross income to the Dere Street Barristers’ Charitable Trust.  This is a novel scheme for The Bar.  All Members of Chambers, including staff, are able to propose charitable causes (both National and International) and the Trustees determine how the fund is distributed.  To date in excess of £240,000.00 has been distributed via The Trust.

Applications are welcome from any charitable organisations.  If you know of a project which requires financial assistance, please make an application: the Grant Application Form can be found here.

We are only able to consider applications from organisations that are registered as a charity in the UK.  The organisation must be established for “charitable purposes” and be recognised by HMRC as an exempt charity.

Applications for the year ending 2025 have already been finalised. DSB Trustees next meet on 21st November 2025. In order to be considered for the year ending 2026 any application must be received by 4pm 10th October 2025. Any applications received after this date will be put forward to the following year.

Please email any applications to Dan Edwards marked ‘DSBCT’.

Pro Bono Work

Dere Street Barristers have a long-standing commitment to pro bono work and have worked with Advocate (formerly known as the Bar Pro Bono Unit and Free Representation Unit) for many years. Our barristers have provided assistance to those who need it but cannot afford it, ranging from short advices to multi-day trials.

Sustainability

We are continually looking at ways to reduce our carbon footprint and to adopt environmentally sustainable practices, including easy to manage recycling initiatives, paper free instructions wherever possible and video / tele conferencing to reduce travel and the associated impact on the environment.

Social mobility

Committed to promoting wider access to the legal profession and to the Bar in particular; we aim to encourage young people to consider the law as a possible career for them when they might otherwise not do so. Barristers participate in the Speakers for Schools programme, where we provide careers talks to local students. We also work with local colleges, providing talks on a career at the Bar, mentoring students and offering work placements and actively engage with the Bar Mock Trial Competition, and mentoring initiatives that help to educate thousands of young people about the legal system.

Charitable Giving

Members of chambers and staff are regularly involved in fundraising, undertaking sporting challenges and other activities for their chosen charities.

Equality & Diversity

In addition to the full Chambers policy which includes areas such as Flexible Working, Harassment, Reasonable Adjustments, Grievance, Paternal Leave etc we also abide by our Policy Statement which can be found here.