Launching the Middle Temple Disability Forum: Better Late Than Never

We are excited to announce the launch of the Middle Temple Disability Forum during Disability History Month. This special event offers a unique opportunity to explore the journeys of barristers throughout history.

The event will feature a theatre-style presentation, during which distinguished speakers will share the challenges and triumphs of historic and current disabled professionals in the legal field. Their experiences will shed light on the obstacles they faced and the progress that has been made towards equality at the Bar. Following the presentation, there will be a reception, providing an opportunity for informed discussion and networking with peers and experts.

Additionally, we are thrilled to launch an expanded disability exhibition. Building on the success of the 2021 online exhibition, which highlighted the profiles of disabled lawyers and prominent lawmakers, this year's exhibition promises to be larger and more impactful. With the easing of pandemic restrictions, we are now able to present a physical exhibition, offering a tangible and immersive experience that underscores the importance of inclusion and diversity within the legal profession.

Join us for an inspiring event that celebrates our profession's diverse histories and reinforces our commitment to inclusivity and equality.

Daniel Holt, Chair of the Disability Forum will facilitate discussion with the following speakers:

Daniel Holt

Daniel Holt is Chair of the Disability Forum. He is a barrister undertaking a probationary tenancy at Farrar’s Building Chambers. Daniel is recognised in The Shaw Trust’s Disability Power 100 as one of the 100 most influential disabled people and was highly commended at the European Diversity Awards 2018. He also received the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Award from The Honourable Society of Middle Temple.

Daniel leads the Association of Disabled Lawyers and engages with individuals, organisations, and regulators to improve the experiences of lawyers and students with health conditions. The Association was nominated for Outstanding Disability Network of the Year at the 2023 British Diversity Awards. He is also Chair of the Disability Forum and sits on the Diversity and Inclusion Committee within Middle Temple. Daniel was also a Board Trustee of Disability Rights UK, the nation’s leading voice for disabled people. He co-authored its response to Parliament’s inquiry into key unimplemented provisions of the Equality Act 2010 for disabled people. He was also Chair of its Income Generation Committee.

Mark Neale

Mark Neale is Director-General at the Bar Standards Board and is Co-Chair of its Disability Taskforce. Mark has had a long career in public service. From 2010, he led and transformed the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (“FSCS”) for nine years after the financial crisis to protect consumers following major failures. He also put many of its services online. Before the FSCS, Mark was a civil servant in policy and delivery roles. This culminated in Director-General roles in The Home Office from 2002 to 2005 and in HM Treasury between 2005 and 2010. Mark was responsible for counterterrorism, organised crime, and international work at the Home Office.  He was the Managing Director for Budget, Tax and Welfare in the HM Treasury. Mark has also worked as a civil servant on education, employment, and welfare issues.

Christina Warner

Christina Warner is a practising human rights barrister and disability rights activist. She is Vice-Chair of Bar-Related Activity for the Association of Disabled Lawyers. Christina is also a PhD candidate at Leiden University’s Van Vollenhoven Institute in the Netherlands. Her research explores the International Criminal Court’s approach to prosecuting cases involving disabled people who are impacted by war crimes and genocide. Using her own lived experience of sight loss, Christina supports those living with or challenged by disability to access the justice system. She has been described as a “powerful” advocate possessing a “human touch”. Christina’s efforts in raising awareness of the needs of the disabled community have garnered her multiple award wins.

Konstantina Nouka

Konstantina Nouka is a pupil barrister at Nexus Chambers. She has been diagnosed with Ulrich Congenital Muscular Dystrophy and is a full-time wheelchair user. She holds a Law LLB degree from the University of Reading and an LLM in Human Rights Law from University College London. 

In 2021, Konstantina founded Bringing [Dis]Ability to the Bar (BDABar) to make the Bar more accessible and inclusive to disabled aspiring barristers. BDABar has helped its members by providing mentoring, mini-pupillages, and various workshops. The organisation has also developed the Court Accessibility Project to understand better how accessible courts are.

Konstantina received a Bar Course scholarship from the Inner Temple and the Sunley Prize pupillage award.

Diego F. Soto-Miranda

Diego F. Soto-Miranda is a trailblazing barrister at 1EC Chambers, specialising in commercial law, defamation, and human rights. Born in Colombia and immobile from the neck down since birth, Diego moved to London at the age of eight, overcoming significant challenges to pursue his legal career.

After graduating from the London School of Economics and the Inns of Court School of Law, Diego secured pupillage at 39 Essex Street, later moving to 1 Essex Court. His journey exemplifies resilience and determination in the face of adversity.

As a vocal advocate for disability rights in the legal profession, Diego has been instrumental in pushing for greater accessibility and inclusion at the Bar. His experiences navigating a career in law with a disability have given him unique insights into the improvements needed for equality in the profession.

Diego’s wit, intellect, and unwavering commitment to justice have earned him respect from clients, judges, and peers alike. His long-term ambition to become a judge reflects his dedication to reshaping perceptions of disability in the legal world.

Members of all four Inns and their guests

Click here to see details of the QS Requirements and how to be credited with the QS for this session

Learning Aims

After this session, students should be able to:

• Identify relevant sections of the Bar Code of Conduct to equality and diversity;
• Appreciate the difficulties disabled people in the profession faced in the and their experiences;
• Acknowledge the role they play in creating an inclusive Bar
• Understand the barriers in the profession to disabled people.

Links to the Professional Statement, wider workings of the Bar, administration of justice or a public interest matter

• 1.16, 1.17, 2.3, 3.3, 3.4

Click here to view the BSB's Professional Statement

QS Feedback

If you have any feedback on a QS you have attended or have any suggestions for future sessions, please contact the education department on education@middletemple.org.uk

If you have questions about accessibility at the Inn or if you would like to request support, please email Laura Hacon.

The Inn is committed to improving access to all its services and encourages members to get in touch with suggestions and feedback on how we can improve. If you feel your experience using the website or attending one of our events could be improved, please email Laura. Your suggestions will be treated in the strictest confidence.