Law Society welcomes proposed changes to resolve misconduct at the Bar

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The Law Society of England and Wales has welcomed the Bar Council’s review into bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar, commending “the leadership of the Rt Hon. the Baroness Harriet Harman KC and the review team for their thorough and thoughtful work”.

Published in September 2025, the review offers 36 “decisive and radical” recommendations to tackle what’s described as a culture of “impunity” and “collusive bystanding”.  

Key recommendations from the report include:

• mandatory anti-bullying and anti-harassment standards, policies and training;
• a new commissioner for conduct to tackle bullying, harassment and sexual harassment;
• an overhaul of the complaints system, including introducing time limits for processing cases, support services and mandatory vulnerable witness training;
• a regulation to prohibit any sexual relations between barristers or employees with a pupil, mini-pupil or someone who’s undertaking work experience in their chambers; and
• a ruling that any finding of judicial misconduct should be taken to the Lady Chief Justice, the Lord Chancellor and an independent person to ensure that sanctions are taken seriously. 

Pupils, junior and senior barristers and those working in chambers shared their experiences at the Bar as part of the review, including instances of being propositioned and shouted at in court. Most of these experiences weren’t reported, according to the review, with concerns that a complaint could put careers in jeopardy.  

Harman said: “Jeopardy needs to change from being on the victims to being on those who commit misconduct.”

Harman added: “Those who commit misconduct need to know that it will not be brushed under the carpet. Barristers are in no doubt that dishonesty bars them from the profession. The same uncompromising approach is needed to rid the system of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.”

The Law Society has spoken in support of the review’s findings, with Vice President Mark Evans calling for “all parts of the legal profession to reflect on them and take meaningful action”. Evans said: “Tackling these issues requires a sector-wide effort, and we are committed to working collaboratively to drive real change.

“The Solicitors Regulation Authority has issued guidance for the solicitors’ profession urging organisations to prioritise staff wellbeing and take proactive steps to tackle toxic workplace cultures, warning that failure to do so may breach regulatory and legal obligations. We recommend the solicitors’ profession heed this guidance.”

Meanwhile, chair of the Bar Council Barbara Mills KC described the report as “a once in a generation opportunity for the Bar to change its culture – and for all of us that change starts now”.

The Law Society recommended the Women in Law Pledge as a useful resource for guidance and support around bullying harassment and sexual misconduct for those across the profession. Its statement also encouraged “anyone affected by these issues to contact our free, confidential helpline or reach out to LawCare for support”.