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In the last few months there has been a cluster of findings by the Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Service involving inappropriate behaviour and professional misconduct. We must seize the opportunity to improve the culture at work for the benefit of all at the Bar.
In December 2023, the Bar Council published research revealing increasing numbers of barristers were experiencing or witnessing inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour. The Bar Council found a persistent problem with bullying and harassment. As a consequence, we have established an independent review and appointed Baroness Harriet Harman KC as the Chair.
The review has been gathering evidence since June 2024, examining the current reporting mechanisms, identifying reasons for inappropriate behaviour and focusing on potential solutions. The review will be discussed at Bar Conference, and we expect the review report in June.
It is often difficult for complainants to come forward, especially to report sexual harassment, but I hope barristers now have confidence that inappropriate behaviour will be taken seriously. I would encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment or bullying to report these incidents and take up the support on offer. Talk to Spot is for anyone working in and around the Bar to raise concerns.
In March, the Bar Council invited Liverpool MP Kim Johnson and Emma Kay from The First Step, an independent specialist domestic abuse service, to join criminal and family barristers for a roundtable discussion about Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) hosted by the Northern Circuit at Exchange Chambers.
The discussion considered the impact of domestic abuse on victims in Merseyside and highlighted the need to look beyond punishment of offenders and how the family and criminal courts can help with prevention, treatment and lowering risks. The delays to cases being listed in the criminal and family courts and the interplay with the new Family Drug and Alcohol Court were also mentioned.
Safer streets are required but it is a mistake to think that VAWG only happens there. Many women and girls are also harmed by men who profess to love them – often in their home which should be a place of safety. That’s why the family courts – as well as the criminal courts – are essential in tackling VAWG. We want family justice, as well as criminal justice, to be central to the public, policy and political discussions about the need for additional investment and effective reforms.
This year the Bar leaders’ discussion at the Opening of the Legal Year will be focused on the safety of lawyers as the profession comes under mounting pressure globally. The event is an opportunity to discuss the new international treaty and explore the potential for professional associations to offer practical support and assistance to one another.
The Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer will open for signatures in May and the convention covers the right to practise, freedom of expression, professional discipline and protective measures for lawyers and professional associations. The convention also requires states to ensure that lawyers can carry out their professional duties without being targeted with threats or attack.
The Bar Council and Law Society are working together to raise these issues and facilitate coordination and support that can help defend our global profession.
This month please keep a look out for and complete the Barristers’ Working Lives survey. It helps us to better understand the entire profession and what is happening across the Bar. The feedback we get helps to shape all of our future work.
We’ve just launched a family legal aid interview research project. The project is focused on the changing conditions of work for family legal aid barristers, and we’d like to hear from you if you currently undertake, or have previously carried out, family legal aid work.
I will be attending the Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta this month. If you are attending, please come to our international law moot on Monday 7 April. I hope to see you there.
I would also encourage you to come to Bar Conference on Saturday 7 June in Birmingham. Sessions will cover the justice system, statistical reasoning in legal practice, the future of public inquiries and much more. The agenda for the day has something on offer for everyone.
Barbara Mills KC is the 2025 Chair of the Bar. She is a specialist family practitioner at 4pb and former Co-Chair of the Bar Council’s Race Working Group.
In the last few months there has been a cluster of findings by the Bar Tribunal and Adjudication Service involving inappropriate behaviour and professional misconduct. We must seize the opportunity to improve the culture at work for the benefit of all at the Bar.
In December 2023, the Bar Council published research revealing increasing numbers of barristers were experiencing or witnessing inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour. The Bar Council found a persistent problem with bullying and harassment. As a consequence, we have established an independent review and appointed Baroness Harriet Harman KC as the Chair.
The review has been gathering evidence since June 2024, examining the current reporting mechanisms, identifying reasons for inappropriate behaviour and focusing on potential solutions. The review will be discussed at Bar Conference, and we expect the review report in June.
It is often difficult for complainants to come forward, especially to report sexual harassment, but I hope barristers now have confidence that inappropriate behaviour will be taken seriously. I would encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed discrimination, harassment or bullying to report these incidents and take up the support on offer. Talk to Spot is for anyone working in and around the Bar to raise concerns.
In March, the Bar Council invited Liverpool MP Kim Johnson and Emma Kay from The First Step, an independent specialist domestic abuse service, to join criminal and family barristers for a roundtable discussion about Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG) hosted by the Northern Circuit at Exchange Chambers.
The discussion considered the impact of domestic abuse on victims in Merseyside and highlighted the need to look beyond punishment of offenders and how the family and criminal courts can help with prevention, treatment and lowering risks. The delays to cases being listed in the criminal and family courts and the interplay with the new Family Drug and Alcohol Court were also mentioned.
Safer streets are required but it is a mistake to think that VAWG only happens there. Many women and girls are also harmed by men who profess to love them – often in their home which should be a place of safety. That’s why the family courts – as well as the criminal courts – are essential in tackling VAWG. We want family justice, as well as criminal justice, to be central to the public, policy and political discussions about the need for additional investment and effective reforms.
This year the Bar leaders’ discussion at the Opening of the Legal Year will be focused on the safety of lawyers as the profession comes under mounting pressure globally. The event is an opportunity to discuss the new international treaty and explore the potential for professional associations to offer practical support and assistance to one another.
The Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of the Profession of Lawyer will open for signatures in May and the convention covers the right to practise, freedom of expression, professional discipline and protective measures for lawyers and professional associations. The convention also requires states to ensure that lawyers can carry out their professional duties without being targeted with threats or attack.
The Bar Council and Law Society are working together to raise these issues and facilitate coordination and support that can help defend our global profession.
This month please keep a look out for and complete the Barristers’ Working Lives survey. It helps us to better understand the entire profession and what is happening across the Bar. The feedback we get helps to shape all of our future work.
We’ve just launched a family legal aid interview research project. The project is focused on the changing conditions of work for family legal aid barristers, and we’d like to hear from you if you currently undertake, or have previously carried out, family legal aid work.
I will be attending the Commonwealth Law Conference in Malta this month. If you are attending, please come to our international law moot on Monday 7 April. I hope to see you there.
I would also encourage you to come to Bar Conference on Saturday 7 June in Birmingham. Sessions will cover the justice system, statistical reasoning in legal practice, the future of public inquiries and much more. The agenda for the day has something on offer for everyone.
Now is the time to tackle inappropriate behaviour at the Bar as well as extend our reach and collaboration with organisations and individuals at home and abroad
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