Overview

• The 129-page review by Baroness Harriet Harman finds widespread bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, sustained by fear of retaliation and what it calls collusive bystanding.
• Key proposals include a new Commissioner for Conduct, mandatory training every three years, a complete overhaul of complaints, and proscribing sexual relationships between seniors and pupils or work‑experience staff as serious misconduct.
• Judicial behaviour is a focus, with recommendations for independent court monitors, removal of time limits for complaints to the JCIO, and an independent role in deciding sanctions after misconduct findings.
• First‑hand accounts detail groping, sexual assault in a taxi, and pressure to exchange sex for career help, with some complainants waiting years for outcomes and later regretting reporting.
• The Bar Council welcomed the findings and will consult nearly 18,000 members, and the Lady Chief Justice called the behaviour unacceptable and said routes to raise concerns are under review.