Barristers show allyship against bullying and harassment with badge campaign
updated on 12 May 2021
Judges, QCs, junior barristers and solicitor advocates have come out in support of an anti-bullying campaign initiated by five barristers.
The group has fundraised to produce ‘all rise’ pin badges that can be worn at chambers, offices and courts as a “symbol of allyship”. Bullying and harassment have been frequently identified as ongoing problems at the Bar for over the past decade.
As the Law Gazette reports, the scheme was started by barristers Bo Kay Fung, Chris Gutteridge, Lydia Pemberton, and Morayo Fagborun Bennett. Gutteridge said: “There have been a number of decisions handed down by Bar disciplinary tribunals in recent months concerning sexual assault and harassment by barristers. The details of one of those cases suggested that the offending barrister acted in the presence of other barristers without fear of repercussions... This is, in a word, appalling. It casts a shadow over the whole profession.”
