Overview
- The independent review led by Baroness Harriet Harman finds entrenched bullying, harassment and sexual harassment across chambers and courtrooms, citing research that 44% of barristers experienced or witnessed such conduct.
- Key proposals include banning sexual relationships between senior personnel and pupils, mini‑pupils or work‑experience candidates, with such conduct to be treated as serious misconduct.
- The report calls for a Commissioner for Conduct, mandatory anti‑bullying and anti‑harassment training every three years, lower thresholds for reporting misconduct, requirements for chambers to report cases, and an end to NDAs in these matters.
- Judicial accountability measures recommended include abolishing the JCIO’s three‑month complaint limit, deploying independent court monitors, and adding an independent voice to sanctions after misconduct findings.
- Initial responses note momentum for change as the Bar Council welcomed the findings and pledged a plan, the Lady Chief Justice acknowledged too many cases of judicial bullying and is reviewing complaint routes, and the BSB outlined enforcement reforms with a redesigned process expected to be fully in effect by January 2027.