The results of the independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar

The Bar Council has published Baroness Harriet Harman’s report, following her independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar. You can read more here.

The review was commissioned last year by the Bar Council in response to research into the extent of these behaviours and its impact on the profession. The joint LPMA and IBC report, published in November 2023 also found that bullying, harassment and sexual harassment were impacting chambers’ employees. As a result the Bar Council has enabled full participation of both organisations during the review including the evidence gathering process and representation on the Review Reference Group. 

We encourage you to sign up to the Bar Council webinar hosted by Barbara Mills KC on 17 September during which Baroness Harman will answer questions about the review and the Bar Council will outline next steps. 

We all play an active part in ensuring that our working environments are safe and inclusive. We would like to encourage all chambers employees to carefully read the report, taking particular note of the recommendations. Our organisations will run education sessions on how the recommendations should be implemented, once the Bar Council has finalised its plans.  

Please do get in touch if you have any suggestions, questions or concerns.

Dave Scothern, IBC Chair

Lucy Burrows, Member of the Review Reference Group