BSB creates anti-racist action plan for chambers

In a bid to improve diversity at the Bar, the Bar Standards Board (BSB) has said that chambers need to provide anti-racism training and implement “positive action measures”, including targeted adverts to recruit people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds.

The regulator released an anti-racist statement in November requesting chambers to complete a “race equality audit to identify the barriers to race equality” at the Bar, which includes designing and implementing “positive action measures”.

“Examples of positive action may include targeted adverts to recruit people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Backgrounds into work experience or pupillage opportunities, and measures to support practising barristers from those backgrounds with development, marketing or progression opportunities. Where appropriate, and in response to evidence, positive action measures should be targeted at specific groups (eg, Black Caribbean) and take an intersectional approach (eg, Black Caribbean women)”, the regulator said.

Chambers are also expected to “produce and publish an anti-racist statement for members of chambers and the public” to explain how they are committed to addressing race inequality.

Failure to implement the guidelines will result in disciplinary action, with the regulator set to follow up and review the actions taken by chambers in response to its recent anti-racist statement.

Director general of the BSB Mark Neale said: “We recognise that 2020 has been an unprecedentedly challenging year for many parts of the Bar but consider the issue of race equality at the Bar to be an urgent priority for everyone.

“We also know that the Bar shares that commitment. That’s why we have decided to publish this anti-racist statement now. If all barristers’ practices commit to completing, and fully embracing, the actions that we have set out for them today, we believe this would represent a significant step towards greater racial equality within the profession.”