New movement to boost lawyers' mental health and sustainable workplace culture

A movement to help lawyers eliminate unnecessary stresses in their job, promote work-life balance, and foster a healthier and sustainable workplace culture was launched on July 29.

- Samuel Devaraj

The Mindful Business Movement was launched on July 29 during the Legal Profession Symposium 2025.

Speaking at the symposium that was held at Parkroyal Collection Pickering, Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon said the movement represents a collective commitment to ensure that lawyers remain in the profession.

He said: "The Mindful Business Movement aims to drive awareness and adoption of the sustainability principles, support their practical implementation in legal workplaces and promote the mental health and well-being of members of the profession."

Under the movement is a set of sustainability principles developed in response to feedback gathered during various focus group discussions that would be disseminated to law firms.

The principles include having smart meetings and communications, advocating that meetings are planned properly and run efficiently. Another principle is supporting rest and growth, with firms urged to provide mental wellness resources. Firms are also told to set aside protected time for training and mentoring.

Another principle is mindful delegation, which entails providing junior staff with clear instructions that include sufficient context, and setting deadlines that are realistic, transparent and appropriately negotiable.