Modern Slavery Statement

Section 54 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires commercial organisations carrying on business in the United Kingdom with an annual turnover above £36 million to publish an annual slavery and human-trafficking statement. The SEC's turnover is well below that threshold and the SEC is not, in any event, a commercial organisation. We nevertheless publish this statement voluntarily, in line with the principles of the Act and the seriousness with which the Bar takes the issue.

The South Eastern Circuit is one of the six historic circuits of the Bar of England and Wales, representing barristers practising across London, the South East, and the South Coast. It has a small permanent administrative office and operates principally through its Officers, Circuit Committee, and constituent Bar Messes. The Circuit does not manufacture goods or operate in jurisdictions or sectors typically associated with a heightened modern-slavery risk.

Our supply chains are short and UK-based. They consist of:

• Professional services (legal, accounting, IT and hosting, payments).
• Event services (venue hire, catering, audio-visual support) for Circuit training, conferences, and the Annual Bar Conference contribution.
• Communications services (printing, design, mailing) for Circuit publications.

Given the size and nature of our operations, our supply-chain risk of modern slavery is low. The majority of our suppliers are UK-based regulated businesses operating in white-collar service sectors. We give particular attention to event-services suppliers where workforce conditions can vary by venue.

The SEC:

• Selects suppliers on the basis of reputation, references, and compliance with applicable law.
• Reviews material new supplier engagements for any obvious modern-slavery risk indicators.
• Expects suppliers to comply with the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and to operate ethically. We reserve the right to terminate arrangements where credible concerns arise and are not resolved.
• Encourages members and staff to raise concerns about supplier practices through the Administrator, admin@southeasterncircuit.com.

This statement is approved by the Circuit Committee of the South Eastern Circuit. It is reviewed annually and updated where material changes arise. Last reviewed: May 2026.