Commissioner for Conduct
In response to the independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar, we appointed the Bar’s first Commissioner for Conduct in January 2026.
Meet 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.
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.
If you would like to get in touch with the Commissioner and her team, please email [email protected].
To report any inappropriate behaviours, Talk to Spot is the Bar's online tool to confidentially and anonymously record bullying, harassment or discrimination concerns. You can also contact our confidential equality and diversity helpline: [email protected]
