In Conversation with Ciara Bartlam: Standing Proud, Standing Together – YLAL celebrates Pride
As part of Pride Month and this year’s theme of Many Voices. One Front, we are sharing conversations with members of the legal profession about their journeys, challenges and reflections. These stories highlight the importance of representation and inclusion within the Legal Aid Sector.
This week, Co-Chair Priya Pandya had a conversation with Ciara Bartlam, barrister at Garden Court North Chambers.
Ciara’s route to the Bar has been anything but conventional. After graduating from university in 2009 during the height of the global financial crisis, she moved to Russia to teach English, where she spent three years witnessing a period of significant political and social change. Living through large-scale protests, increasing restrictions on civil liberties and the introduction of anti-LGBTQ+ legislation profoundly shaped her understanding of justice, activism and the importance of standing up for marginalised communities.
Upon returning to the UK, Ciara worked for Stoke-on-Trent City Council, supporting vulnerable young people, particularly care leavers. It was during this time that a pivotal experience in the Magistrates’ Court changed the course of her career. After accompanying a young woman to challenge a closure order and witnessing first-hand the barriers faced by those navigating the justice system without adequate support, Ciara decided to retrain as a lawyer.
Although she initially expected to practise in housing law, her career soon led her towards representing families in inquests involving the deaths of young people. She now views this area of practice as one of the most powerful ways to challenge systemic failings and achieve meaningful change.
During the discussion, Priya asked Ciara the following questions about her experiences and reflections at the bar.
What drew you to legal aid work?
Any legal aid lawyer will tell you that the people we represent are often incredible individuals. In the area of inquests and inquiries, there is a profound sense of community that can develop between legal aid lawyers and their clients because you’re united by a common goal and a shared desire to challenge systems that are not working.
For me, legal aid work has always been about standing alongside people who might otherwise struggle to have their voices heard. That shared sense of purpose is one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.
What was your experience like when you first started at the Bar as a member of the LGBTQ+ community?
My experience was shaped by a number of factors. Growing up, I was very aware of the stigma that often surrounded discussions about sexuality. Although I had supportive parents and a queer family network, the wider environment sometimes made me feel uncertain about whether I could openly express who I was.
My time in Russia reinforced those feelings. During those years, anti-LGBTQ+ attitudes became increasingly visible and accepted within public discourse.
By the time I returned to the UK and started working in local government, I had become much more comfortable in myself. However, when I entered the legal profession, I found myself becoming more cautious again. The profession appeared highly traditional and, at least from my perspective, overwhelmingly heteronormative.
When I first started studying law and meeting barristers, I felt that I could not be openly proud of my sexuality. As a result, I became more guarded about that part of my identity.
Over time, that changed. The turning point for me came during the pandemic. As hostility towards LGBTQ+ people, particularly trans people, became more visible, I felt a growing responsibility to be open about who I was and to contribute to greater visibility within the profession.
Have you experienced any challenges within the profession?
I haven’t experienced direct hostility because I am queer, but I have experienced bullying and sexism during my career.
One particularly difficult experience occurred during an inquest where I was the only female lawyer involved. The case concerned a woman who had experienced domestic abuse, and there were moments when I felt undermined and dismissed by my male counterparts.
Obviously that had an impact on me but what made it worse was the impact it had on my clients. I think we often talk about the impact of bullying as though it’s something only the lawyer feels but it can be upsetting for our clients to witness too.
Experiences like that remind me that while progress has been made, there is still a great deal of work to do in challenging the systems and cultures that allow these behaviours to persist.
Has the profession changed during your career?
That’s a difficult question because it’s hard to measure change without having a clear benchmark.
There is certainly more visibility and more open discussion of LGBTQ+ issues than there was when I started. At the same time, I have seen a significant rise in anti-trans hostility, and I find that deeply concerning. Anything that hurts trans and non-binary people hurts me as well, even if it is not directed at me personally.
There are positive initiatives and important conversations taking place, but progress can feel slow. In my view, we need more people in positions of authority, particularly on the bench, to actively challenge discrimination when they see it.
I am fortunate to have excellent support from my chambers and the solicitors I work with. Not everyone has access to those support systems, which is why visibility, mentorship and community remain so important.
What advice would you give to aspiring or junior barristers who are members of the LGBTQ+ community?
The number one thing I would want people to remember is that you are welcome here. The Bar needs more people like you.
Don’t be discouraged by other people’s experiences or by the challenges that still exist within the profession. There is a real opportunity to help create change, and that change happens because people bring their authentic selves into the profession.
Most importantly, know that you are valued. You are appreciated, and there are people who are genuinely grateful that you exist. Your perspective matters, and your presence helps make the profession stronger.
Are there any organisations or support networks you would recommend?
Having been based in Manchester for a long time, one organisation I would always recommend is the LGBT Foundation, which offers support services, resources and community spaces. There is also the Switchboard which is a national LGBTQ+ support line.
Beyond formal organisations, I think informal networks are incredibly important. Connecting with other LGBTQ+ lawyers can make a huge difference, whether that’s through professional groups, mentoring relationships or simply building friendships within the profession.
What environment do you wish for future generations of LGBTQ+ lawyers?
I want to see a profession where LGBTQ+ people feel genuinely safe, supported and welcomed.
We need to focus on encouraging LGBTQ+ people into the legal profession and ensuring they can build successful careers without feeling that they need to hide who they are. Inclusion should not be an afterthought; it should be built into the culture of our workplaces and institutions.
If I had to leave people with one piece of advice, it would simply be: keep going.
Who has been your support system/role model?
I have been fortunate to have a number of people support me throughout my career, including lots of queer lawyers (they know who they are!). I have also benefited greatly from the guidance of mentors including Anna Morris KC and my former pupil supervisor, Ben McCormack.
Ben, in particular, has been an incredible cheerleader throughout my career. I genuinely do not think I would be half the lawyer I am today without the support, encouragement and belief that I have received from the people who have mentored me along the way.
Their guidance has helped shape not only the lawyer I have become, but also the way I approach supporting others entering the profession.
Ciara’s story is one of courage, conviction and perseverance. Whether advocating for vulnerable young people, representing bereaved families in inquests, or speaking openly about her experiences as a queer woman at the Bar, she demonstrates the power of using the law as a tool for both justice and social change.
Her reflections highlight the importance of visibility, community and solidarity, while reminding us that progress cannot be taken for granted. Through her work and advocacy, Ciara continues to help build a profession where future generations of LGBTQ+ lawyers can feel welcomed, supported and empowered to succeed.
Want to have a conversation with us? Contact us at ylalinfo@gmail.com – we’d love to hear from you!