Bar Council’s Commissioner for Conduct Dame Maria Miller has signed a new agreement with the Lady Chief Justice and the Senior President of Tribunals to improve how barristers report bullying and harassment in court. The deal creates a formal channel for the Commissioner to act as an intermediary when legal professionals have concerns about judicial behavior, aiming to reduce the intimidation often associated with reporting complaints directly to a judge.
Support for barristers through a new reporting channel
The Commissioner for Conduct can now better support barristers by liaising with Lady Justice Whipple, who serves as the Lead Judge for Diversity and Inclusion, Leadership Development and Wellbeing. Under this protocol, informal complaints about judges can be directed to the Commissioner and her team via Talk to Spot, the confidential reporting tool for those working in and around the Bar. The new protocol provides legal professionals with greater clarity on how concerns can be raised and addressed, whether directly or through the Commissioner for Conduct or a senior member of the Bar.
According to recent data, roughly half of the reports submitted via Talk to Spot about bullying, harassment, and inappropriate behavior relate to judges’ conduct. This new arrangement is designed to address that specific area of concern by creating a structured path for complaints that does not require a barrister to confront the individual they are reporting.
These changes follow an independent review into bullying and harassment at the Bar, conducted by Baroness Harriet Harman KC last year. The review recommended that dialogue between the Bar and Bench increase to remove barriers to reporting and improve accountability in the courtroom.
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Breaking down barriers to reporting
Bar Council’s Commissioner for Conduct, Dame Maria Miller, said the agreement is a significant step toward dismantling the barriers that prevent barristers from speaking up. “I am pleased we have established this agreement which is an important piece in the jigsaw to breaking down reporting barriers,” she said.
The Commissioner noted that this arrangement, alongside the joint protocol the Bar Council has agreed with the Bar Standards Board, helps address key issues identified in the Harman review. She emphasized that the protocol sets out a shared commitment that courtrooms remain a place of respect and courtesy, ensuring that reports to the Commissioner about judicial behavior can be taken forward in an appropriate way.
While the formal agreement is a step forward in addressing conduct complaints, the practical impact will depend on how effectively the judiciary responds to the increased flow of reports. The Commissioner’s role as an intermediary is intended to buffer barristers from potential retaliation, yet the ability to hold judicial behavior fully accountable remains a complex issue within the legal system.