Bar Council tackles sexual harassment

In an attempt to remove any remaining sexual harassment that exists within the legal profession, the Bar Council has released a guide to supporting chambers as a response to their 2015 research which highlighted some occurrences of unacceptable behaviour.

The Council has stated that this is another step towards making sure that all chambers are alert and aware of the issues that can arise, but also that they are better able to independently complaints as they arise.

The guide suggests rules and regulations to assist all barristers in being able to act appropriately when managing their practice and handling their professional relationships with others around them.

Chantal-Aimée Doerries QC, Chairman of the Bar, said: “We have a clear road map on what Bar Council, as the profession’s representative body, can do to better support barristers and it is time to take action. This guide is another step in a series of support tools that the Bar Council is leading on.”

Fiona Jackson, Vice-chair of the Bar Council's Equality Diversity & Social Mobility Committee, said: “The guide builds on our programme of Equality & Diversity support work and last year's research. In addition, it contributes to our wider aim of relegating any residual pernicious sexual harassment of barristers, pupil barristers and staff to the past in order to ensure a level playing field in practice where all barristers can thrive and succeed to the highest levels.

“It underscores that harassment should not be tolerated in any circumstances and that complaints should be taken seriously and echoes the Bar Council’s ongoing commitment to protecting potentially more vulnerable members of Chambers and ensuring that they feel supported when making complaints.”

The guide sets out clear and comprehensive definitions of sexual harassment, and outlines the duty of barristers and their requirements within certain situations. It also gives a range of different scenarios and best practice information. The guide can be accessed here.

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