Commissioner for Conduct
In response to the independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar and its recommendations, we appointed the Bar’s first Commissioner for Conduct in January 2026. The Commissioner oversees the reform set out in the review, ensures that changes put forward are implemented, that advice is available, and that standards are set high and upheld.
- Read more about the Commissioner and her team
- Understand the Commissioner’s role
- Make a record or report via Talk to Spot
- Find out more about our review into bullying, harassment and sexual harassment
- Support and guidance
The Bar’s Commissioner for Conduct
The Rt Hon Dame Maria Miller DBE brings extensive experience to the role, having been the first Chair of the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee and becoming a dame in 2022 for her work on equality matters.
Dame Maria is supported by our Head of Diversity and Inclusion, Sam Mercer and our Equality and Diversity Consultant, Rachel Krys. Together they triage and respond to records and reports received via Talk to Spot.
The role of the Commissioner
The Commissioner for Conduct’s work falls under three main areas:
- Handling concerns or complaints
- Triaging and handling reports of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment: the Commissioner manages bullying, harassment and sexual harassment reports concerning barristers subject to an agreed protocol with the Bar Standards Board (BSB)
- Confidential support: the Commissioner is a trusted source of confidential advice and support, including through Talk to Spot, for barristers and those working in and around the Bar
- Providing guidance, support and advice to the Bar
- Best practice policies and training: the Commissioner’s team develops, produces and disseminates policy templates, procedures, guidance, and training to promote best practice across the Bar
- Comprehensive guide for chambers: the Commissioner’s team produces and updates a comprehensive toolkit for chambers and barristers including information on everything needed to comply with legislation, regulations, and recommendations from Baroness Harriet Harman KC’s review
- Advising Bar-based organisations: Inns, employers, circuits and others can contact the Commissioner for advice on how to prevent bullying, harassment and sexual harassment and when action is needed
- Reporting pathways: working with the BSB, judiciary and the Inns, the Commissioner promotes clear routes for complainants and bystanders to report concerns and receive support
- Campaigning for change
- Promoting the implementation of the review recommendations through active engagement with working groups across the Bar. The Commissioner will report regularly to the Bar on progress
- Leadership: highlighting and promoting good practice to build awareness of the Bar-wide commitment to tackling bullying, harassment and sexual harassment. The Commissioner works with other professions to bring good ideas into the Bar. Our aim is for the Commissioner for Conduct to become a centre of expertise for tackling these issues
- Liaise with the judiciary and Judicial Conduct Investigations Office to promote and ensure a safe, respectful and professional relationship between members of the Bar and the judiciary through agreed structures and support
- Monitoring and analysis: the Commissioner’s team collects and analyses data to show progress, patterns, emerging risks or opportunities for targeted preventive actions. The Commissioner will agree key performance indicators annually with the Bar Council to update on progress
Contact the Commissioner and her team
Make a record or report via Talk to Spot
To report any inappropriate behaviours, record it via Talk to Spot. This is the Bar's online tool to confidentially and anonymously record bullying, harassment or discrimination concerns.
For advice on equality and diversity matters not related to bullying, harassment and sexual harassment please contact our confidential equality and diversity helpline: [email protected]
