Barristers’ Benevolent Association
By Fred Ferguson
The Barristers’ Benevolent Association (BBA) was founded as a charity in January 1873. A limited company was formed in November 2004. The BBA exists to provide help to past and present practising members of the Bar in England and Wales, including the judiciary, and their families and dependants. Assistance is available to applicants who are in need, in distress or in difficulties. The aim is, wherever possible, to overcome the problem and rebuild the applicant’s life and career. During the recent past, the BBA has helped barristers and their families on every circuit, often saving, not only dignity, but careers.
Unexpected financial problems may be due to circumstances beyond the beneficiary’s control and may be encountered before a full practice has been established or with the onset of old age. Reasons for needing help cover a wide range and include; serious long-term or terminal illness, shorter term health scares or accidents affecting income for weeks or months.
The BBA does not offer specific advice but can point people towards those who can, particularly in cases of financial need. The BBA’s staff are also happy to be a contact on the phone, for a reassuring chat. In appropriate cases the BBA can offer financial help, in the form of a grant or a secured or unsecured loan. Some beneficiaries receive regular grants to top up DSS benefits as well as other specific occasional help. Single parents have been helped with paying for school uniforms, new shoes or a birthday treat. In exceptional circumstances, if children are at a vital stage of their education, help has been given to enable them to remain at their chosen school. Examples of cases where special help has been given include; funding a much-needed holiday break, providing a computer, paying telephone bills and mending or replacing home equipment. Every case is unique and every application is considered on its own merits and circumstances. If all else fails, help can be given with IVAs and bankruptcies.
The BBA believes that it is not as well-known in the profession as it ought to be and that there may be people who qualify for help but who either are not aware of the existence of the BBA or believe that assistance is restricted e.g. to those who have made contributions to the BBA. The BBA is funded by donation from the Bar and the judiciary and from sponsored events. It is felt also that there are other people who would be willing to contribute to the welfare of their less fortunate colleagues but who are also unaware of the BBA. Donations are welcome at any time and need not form part of a regular commitment.
In addition to the officers and committee members of the BBA, the BBA has circuit representatives who form a link with the profession, promote awareness of the BBA and assist in fundraising. If you know someone, or are someone, who is, or has been, in practice and is, or might be, in difficult financial circumstances, please contact the BBA, either directly or through your circuit representative, who will be happy to pass on the details of your situation.
The BBA, through its officers, committee members and circuit representatives honour a code of strict confidentiality. The BBA operates on the basis that financial misfortune can happen to anyone. The BBA is not judgemental of the current circumstances of applicants, or potential applicants, and always looks to be pragmatic and constructive in its approach, whatever the background leading to the application.
Further information can be obtained from the BBA website: www.the-bba.com