Bar Council Chambers’ Management Panel launch model staff management policy templates

The IBC welcomes the publication of the Bar Council’s model staff policies, now available via the Bar Council Ethics Hub (Chambers and Practice Management Archives – Bar Council – Practice & Ethics – listed under ‘M’ for model). These resources represent a practical and timely toolkit for chambers seeking to maintain robust, compliant, and inclusive employment practices.

Developed by the Chambers Management Panel, which includes several members of the IBC Management Committee, the model policies cover core areas such as equality, diversity and inclusion, bullying and harassment, grievance handling, disciplinary procedures, flexible working, and family-friendly rights. They are drafted to reflect current legal and regulatory expectations while remaining accessible and adaptable to the varied structures of chambers.

For chambers staff and clerks in particular, the value of these policies is immediate and tangible. Clear, well-structured policies provide certainty about rights and responsibilities, support fair and consistent decision-making, and reduce the risk of disputes escalating unnecessarily. They also offer a reliable framework for managing sensitive issues with professionalism and confidence, reinforcing a culture of respect and accountability across chambers.

Importantly, the model policies are not prescriptive. They are designed to be tailored, enabling chambers to align the content with their size, practice profile, and operational realities, while still meeting best-practice standards. For clerks tasked with implementing and overseeing employment processes, this significantly reduces the time and resource burden associated with drafting policies from scratch.

The Institute encourages chambers and their staff to engage with the model employee policies on the Ethics Hub, to adopt and adapt them as appropriate, and to view them as a foundation for fostering well-run, supportive, and compliant working environments throughout the Bar.

Sarah Earl

Chair of Education and member of the Chambers Management Panel