Barbara commenced a Court of Protection and Public and Private Family Law pupillage with Spire Barristers in September 2018 under the supervision of Jacqui Thomas.

Prior to her pupillage Barbara studied for a Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP Manchester Law School and was awarded an Exhibition Scholarship by Inner Temple to undertake the Bar Professional Training Course part-time at Manchester Metropolitan University. Barbara was assessed as being Very Competent on the BPTC and received the Dean’s Excellence Awards for the highest marks in her year in five subjects. She also qualified as an accredited legal mediator.

During her legal training Barbara designed and provided a pro-bono public legal education programme called With Law in Mind. Through this she provides legal education sessions for groups of unpaid carers on their rights under the Mental Capacity Act (2005), the Mental Health Act (1983) and the Care Act (2014). The programme is popular with carers, with around 400 people having attended to date. It has been recognised by the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Health as best practice in promoting the Mental Capacity Act and Barbara received an Attorney General Pro Bono Award in recognition of her work. She also volunteered at Manchester Law Centre and supported and represented clients who were appealing to the First Tier Social Security and Child Support Tribunal.

Barbara has a Ph.D in Psychology and a M.Sc in Clinical Psychology. Prior to coming to the Bar she worked in the NHS and in private practice as a clinical psychologist, coach and as an Executive in strategic development and change. She is an experienced trainer, she has published extensively and has presented at a wide range of international and National conferences.