A former Women and Equalities Committee Chair and Cabinet Minister has become the Bar’s first ever Commissioner for Conduct following an independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment in and around the Bar.
Dame Maria Miller DBE – who is Chair of UK domestic abuse charity SafeLives and was awarded a damehood in 2022 for her work on equality matters – will now lead the Bar Council’s work to eradicate these behaviours.
An independent review conducted by Baroness Harriet Harman KC set out 36 ‘decisive and radical’ recommendations as reform was needed to tackle the ‘unsustainable situation’ among the profession.
The review was commissioned by the Bar Council after surveys found increasing numbers of barristers were experiencing or witnessing inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour at the Bar.
One key recommendation that came out of the review was for a Commissioner for Conduct to oversee the reform set out in the review, ensure that changes put forward are implemented, that advice is available, and that standards are set high and upheld.
Dame Maria, who is starting in post this month, is now responsible for promoting a safe, respectful and professional culture at the Bar. Her core responsibilities include handling bullying, harassment and sexual harassment reports in line with an agreed protocol with the Bar Standards Board, as well as liaising with the judiciary and providing confidential support.
Dame Maria’s appointment has been welcomed by both the Bar’s Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC and Baroness Harman particularly as while Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, Dame Maria produced evidence-based inquiry reports on issues including tackling sexual harassment and bullying.
Bar Council Chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said: “I’m very much looking forward to working with Dame Maria who brings her extensive experience into this role.
“She will provide authoritative guidance and be a trusted point of contact for all those working in and around the Bar. There is no place for bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar and with Dame Maria overseeing this work, I am determined that we can stamp out these behaviours.”
Baroness Harriet Harman KC said: “I have full confidence that Dame Maria will lead the reform needed, having been a driving force in tackling the same issues in the House of Commons. This role is key to leading the change necessary to prevent misconduct and protect victims and the reputation of the Bar. Improving behaviour will no longer rest on the slight shoulders of the victims of misconduct.”
Dame Maria Miller DBE said: “I am honoured to be the Bar Council’s first Commissioner for Conduct. The UK legal system is recognised the world over for the highest standards of professionalism, with members of the Bar at its heart. By creating this new position, the Bar Council has demonstrated its fulsome commitment to maintaining that leadership position; promoting a safe, respectful and professional culture at the Bar, through its leadership on the eradication of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.”
The Commissioner’s 8 core responsibilities are:
- Leadership: highlight and promote good practice to build awareness of the Bar-wide commitment to tackling bullying, harassment and sexual harassment. Create a centre of expertise for tackling this issue.
- Confidential support: serve as a trusted source of confidential advice and support, including through Talk to Spot, for members of the Bar, Inns, Circuits, chambers and others, to prevent bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.
- Triage and handle bullying, harassment and sexual harassment reports: Manage bullying, harassment and sexual harassment reports concerning barristers subject to an agreed protocol with the BSB.
- Liaise with the judiciary and JCIO to promote and ensure a safe, respectful and professional relationship between members of the Bar and the judiciary through agreed structures and support.
- Best practice policies and training: develop and disseminate policy, procedures, guidance, and training to promote best practice across the board, including to ensure the safeguarding of students, mini-pupils and pupils.
- Reporting pathways: clarify and promote the routes available for complainants and bystanders to report concerns.
- Monitoring and analysis: collect and analyse data to show progress, patterns, emerging risks or opportunities for targeted preventative actions. Agree key performance indicators annually with the Bar Council.
- Promote the implementation of the Harman Review recommendations through active engagement with working groups across the Bar. Establish regular reporting on progress to the Bar.
Read the review into bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar
Following the publication of the report in September 2025, the Bar Council accepted all 36 recommendations and set up 6 work streams
The Rt Hon Dame Maria Miller DBE is nationally recognised as a leader on equality matters, through the award of her damehood in 2022. A long serving, senior politician, Dame Maria held ministerial posts in the coalition government, including in the Cabinet as Culture Secretary. Known for her effective, collaborative working style, Dame Maria also chaired the Women and Equalities Select Committee, producing evidence-based inquiry reports on issues, including tackling sexual harassment and bullying.
Before being elected to Parliament, Maria’s business career spanned 20 years, including company director posts in two UK communication agencies. Since leaving Parliament in 2024, Maria has been appointed to Chair the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, LHC Procurement Group and the UK charity SafeLives, dedicated to eradicating domestic abuse. Maria was appointed Commissioner for Conduct at the Bar Council in January 2026.