In September 2025 we published Baroness Harman’s report. It made 36 recommendations and identified the organisations responsible for taking them forward. Through discussions at Bar Council, General Management Committee and our Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee. We developed our response and a plan for next steps, which we published in September 2025. 

The report was described by 2025 Chair of the Bar Barbara Mills KC (now Baroness) as a “a once in a generation opportunity for the Bar to change its culture... It’s imperative that all barristers have a safe working environment to deliver best outcomes for their clients. It is everyone’s responsibility – in all parts of the profession, no matter how junior or senior – to create and foster that safe and inclusive working environment.” 

On this page:

Key recommendations

In her report, Baroness Harman sets out 36 recommendations, including:

  • Mandatory anti-bullying and anti-harassment standards, policies and training that are consistent across the profession (recs 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 29)
  • A new Commissioner for Conduct to tackle bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar appointed by the Bar Council (recs 4, 36)
  • Overhaul of the complaints system including introducing time limits for processing cases, support services and mandatory vulnerable witness training (recs 5, 6, 15 – 20)
  • Sexual relations between barristers or employees with someone who is a pupil, mini-pupil or is undertaking work experience in their chambers should be proscribed as misconduct (rec 11)
  • Sanctions decisions following a judicial misconduct finding should be taken by the Lady Chief Justice, the Lord Chancellor, and an independent person to tackle the perception that sanctions are unduly lenient which deters complainants (rec 35) 

Next steps

Through discussions with the Bar Council, the General Management Committee and our Equality, Diversity and Social Mobility Committee, the Bar Council  developed a response to the report and published an action plan. The Bar Council’s Commissioner for Conduct Dame Maria Miller – appointed in January 2026 – 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. 

Background to the review

In December 2023 the Bar Council published research which showed that increasing numbers of barristers were experiencing or witnessing inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour at the Bar. Through survey responses and analysis of Talk to Spot - our anonymous reporting tool - we found a persistent problem with bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar. The report found:

  • 44% of respondents said they had experienced or observed bullying, harassment or discrimination while working either in person or online over the last two years
  • This was an increase from 38% in 2021 and 31% in 2017
  • Respondents who had witnessed or observed these behaviours were more likely to be female, junior, and/or from ethnic minority backgrounds. Those complained about were more likely to be in a senior position, such as judges and senior barristers

In response to the report, the Bar Council commissioned an independent review and the then 2024 Chair of the Bar Sam Townend KC appointed Baroness Harman to lead it. 

"When I was Chair of YBC [Young Barristers' Committee] I knew that the junior Bar had a bullying and harassment problem – the impact of this misconduct was turning people away from the profession and worst of all having a serious and lasting impact on their lives. As part of the Reference Group to Baroness Harman's Review I have witnessed how hard she and her team have worked to get to the root of the issues and identify changes that are robust, impactful and long-lasting. Those changes must be implemented – now."  

– Michael Harwood Chair of the Young Barristers’ Committee 2023 and member of the Reference Group 

The terms of reference were developed and agreed by the Bar Council , the reference group and the review team. A call for submissions was published in June 2024 and submissions were invited from individuals and organisations. Submissions could be made in strict confidence and/or made anonymously via Talk to Spot.

Read the definitions of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment used by the Bar Council and the review.

About the review team and reference group

The independent review was chaired by Baroness Harman – former MP, Solicitor General, Chair of the Joint Committee on Human Right and Chair of Committees on Standards and Privileges in Parliament. Baroness Harman was supported by Samantha Granger (barrister at the House of Commons and counsel to the review) and Tom Pollard.   The review team was supported by a reference group