A review led by Labour peer Harriet Harman has called for a ban on sexual relations between barristers and pupils or work experience individuals in chambers, citing systemic bullying and harassment at the England and Wales bar. The report, published on Monday, recommends that such relationships be classified as serious misconduct, with tough sanctions for offenders.
The review follows the high-profile case of Navjot “Jo” Sidhu KC, a former Criminal Bar Association chair, who was disbarred for sexual misconduct towards an aspiring female lawyer. Harman described the case as highlighting systemic issues with sexual misconduct at the bar, where perpetrators often face no consequences.
Harman noted that victims frequently avoid reporting incidents due to fears of career repercussions, leaving them labelled as troublemakers. One woman reported being told by a clerk in her first week of pupillage that she needed to sleep with him, while another described being groped at social events. The report also found that junior barristers face bullying from judges, with many sharing experiences on WhatsApp groups.
Among 36 recommendations, Harman proposed an independent commissioner for conduct to handle bullying and harassment cases, and called for independent involvement in sanction decisions to address perceptions of leniency. Bar Council chair Barbara Mills KC described the report as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” for cultural change, emphasising the need for a safe working environment.
