Independent review of bullying and harassment at the Bar

In response to research on the extent of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar, in June 2024 the Bar Council has commissioned an independent review chaired by Baroness Harriet Harman KC.

Over the course of a year, the review gathered evidence to consider the impact of bullying and harassment and the efficacy of current reporting mechanisms. It was tasked with considering the reasons for the behaviours and identifying potential solutions.

In September 2025 we published Baroness Harman's report. It makes 36 recommendations and identifies the organisations responsible for taking them forward. Through discussions at Bar Council, General Management Committee and our Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee, we're developing our response to the report and an action plan for next steps. We'll publish the action plan in autumn 2025.

On this page:

• Key recommendations from the report
• Reactions to the report
• Next steps
• Background to the review
• About the review team and reference group
• Support on bullying and harassment

The report

Report of the independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar

Read the report of the independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar

• 8 September 2025
• Report

Key recommendations

In her report, Baroness Harman sets out 36 recommendations, including:

• Mandatory anti-bullying and anti-harassment standards, policies and training that are consistent across the profession (recs 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 29)
• A new Commissioner for Conduct to tackle bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar appointed by the Bar Council (recs 4, 36)
• Overhaul of the complaints system including introducing time limits for processing cases, support services and mandatory vulnerable witness training (recs 5, 6, 15 – 20)
• Sexual relations between barristers or employees with someone who is a pupil, mini-pupil or is undertaking work experience in their chambers should be proscribed as misconduct (rec 11)
• Sanctions decisions following a judicial misconduct finding should be taken by the Lady Chief Justice, the Lord Chancellor, and an independent person to tackle the perception that sanctions are unduly lenient which deters complainants (rec 35)

"This is a moment of reckoning for the Bar."
– Baroness Harman

Launching the report, Baroness Harman said: "This is a moment of reckoning for the Bar. I am confident the Bar will face up to the challenge of taking the decisive action I propose. Change is always hard, particularly in an ancient institution. But evolutionary, incremental change won't cut it. 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.”

Reactions to the report

“This is a once in a generation opportunity for the Bar to change its culture – and for all of us that change starts now.”
– Barbara Mills KC, Chair of the Bar Council

Launching the report, Chair of the Bar Council Barbara Mills KC described it as a “once in a generation opportunity” for the Bar. She said: “There is no place for bullying and harassment at the Bar. We're aware of the scale of the problem, but seeing its impact on our colleagues and those aspiring to join the profession in this report makes for uncomfortable reading. It's imperative that all barristers have a safe working environment to deliver best outcomes for their clients. It is everyone's responsibility – in all parts of the profession, no matter how junior or senior – to create and foster that safe and inclusive working environment.

“We're grateful for the work carried out by Baroness Harman and to all those who fed into the review. We will consider these recommendations carefully and develop a plan for change.”

Next steps

Through discussions with the Bar Council, the General Management Committee and our Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee, the Bar Council will be developing a response to the report and an action plan for next steps will be published in autumn 2025.

“I am grateful for the care with which Baroness Harman, and her excellent team, have handled this important and sensitive work without flinching from the need to recognise what is wrong and addressing how it needs to be fixed. The public has long expected the Bar to uphold the highest of standards and we must look within and ensure that we are fit to inspire confidence in each other as well. I remain convinced that the Bar has both the intellectual integrity and moral courage to take steps where they are needed.”
– Eleena Misra KC Chair of the Law Reform Committee and member of the Reference Group

Background to the review

In December 2023 the Bar Council published research revealing increasing numbers of barristers were experiencing or witnessing inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour at the Bar. Through survey responses and analysis of the Talk to Spot anonymous reporting tool the Bar Council found a persistent problem with bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar. The report found:

• 44% of respondents said they had experienced or observed bullying, harassment or discrimination while working either in person or online over the last two years
• This is an increase from 38% in 2021 and 31% in 2017
• Respondents who had witnessed or observed these behaviours were more likely to be female, junior, and/or from ethnic minority backgrounds. Those complained about were more likely to be in a senior position, such as judges and senior barristers

"When I was Chair of YBC [Young Barristers' Committee] I knew that the junior Bar had a bullying and harassment problem – the impact of this misconduct was turning people away from the profession and worst of all having a serious and lasting impact on their lives. As part of the Reference Group to Baroness Harman's Review I have witnessed how hard she and her team have worked to get to the root of the issues and identify changes that are robust, impactful and long-lasting. Those changes must be implemented – now."
– Michael Harwood Chair of the Young Barristers' Committee and member of the Reference Group

In response to the report, the Bar Council commissioned an independent review and the then Chair of the Bar Sam Townend KC appointed Baroness Harman to lead it.

The terms of reference were developed and agreed by the Bar Council , the reference group and the review team. A call for submissions was published in June 2024 and submissions were invited from individuals and organisations. Submissions could be made in strict confidence and/or made anonymously via Talk to Spot.

Read the definitions of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment used by the Bar Council and the review.

About the review team and reference group

The independent review was chaired by Baroness Harman – former MP, Solicitor General, Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Right and Chair of Committees on Standards and Privileges in Parliament. Baroness Harman was supported by Samantha Granger (barrister at the House of Commons and counsel to the review) and Tom Pollard.  

The review team was supported by a reference group

• Meet the team

Support on bullying and harassment

Talk to Spot: our confidential tool for recording incidents of harassment. Use Talk to Spot to anonymously and confidentially raise concerns about inappropriate and abusive behaviour. Find out more about Talk to Spot.

Speak to the Bar Council: email the equality and diversity team in confidence for support and advice about bullying, harassment or sexual harassment issues.

Call the Assistance Programme: available to everyone working in and around the Bar. The programme is run by Health Assured and provides fully funded, confidential support. Call 0800 169 2040. Visit the Wellbeing at the Bar website.

Get in touch with LawCare: the mental health charity for the legal sector. Volunteers provide free and confidential emotional support. The helpline is open 9am to 5pm every weekday (except bank holidays). Call 0800 279 6888 or visit the LawCare website.

Stop it campaign: Chambers and organisations employing barristers are encouraged to download and display our Talk to Spot posters in bathrooms and other shared areas.