Managing harassment, bullying and inappropriate behaviour complaints

See other dates for this course in our calendar

In her independent review of bullying and harassment at the Bar, Baroness Harriet Harman KC made clear, chambers needed to improve their complaints processes, for handling complaints in this area. She recommended clear informal and formal procedures in relation to handling bullying, harassment or sexual harassment complaints made by members and employees. She also recommended anyone dealing with such complaints be properly trained.

"A comprehensive whistle stop tour that is a must do for anyone dealing with these difficult [situations]."
– Barrister, October 2025

Who is this course for?

Bar leaders seeking a practical framework for handling bullying and harassment complaints in line with legal, regulatory, and professional obligations.

• Heads of Chambers
• Chambers Directors
• Equality and Diversity Officers (EDOs)
• Members of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion committees
• Members of Management committees

What will I learn?

This course equips you to respond confidently and appropriately to complaints, while fostering a culture of respect and accountability within chambers.

This is a practical, facilitated session where you’ll work through how to manage different scenarios. Pre-course reading will be shared ahead of the training and there’ll be a maximum of 24 people in any session to ensure meaningful discussion.

• Understand harassment, bullying, and inappropriate behaviours
  Defining and recognising behaviours that may breach professional standards or chambers’ expectations
• Know your legal, regulatory, and policy obligations
  Including the duty to take reasonable steps to prevent, and duty to report under BSB rules
• Set yourself up for success
  Proactive leadership to build a respectful culture and reduce risk
• Know how to respond to an incident
  • Best practice in responding to concerns raised by pupils, barristers, or staff with empathy and discretion
  • Informal and formal responses
  • The investigation process
  • Ensuring fairness, confidentiality, and appropriate support for all parties 
  • Implementing interim measures
  • Managing difficult conversations and maintaining impartiality

After the course

• You’ll understand your professional and legal responsibilities as Head of Chambers or a leader within chambers
• You’ll be confident in managing sensitive and high-stakes situations and be able to protect the wellbeing of all members and staff
• You’ll be able to implement clear formal and informal processes for handling complaints of bullying, harassment and inappropriate behaviours 
• You’ll know how to reduce reputational and regulatory risk 
• You’ll take away practical tools and templates for immediate use