Miller: Fulsome commitment
Former Conservative cabinet minister Dame Maria Miller – who used to chair Parliament’s women and equalities committee – has been named the Bar’s first ever Commissioner for Conduct.
The creation of the post was a key recommendation of the Harman review last September.
Dame Maria is chair of UK domestic abuse charity SafeLives and was awarded her damehood in 2022 for her work on equality matters.
The Bar Council said she was now responsible for promoting “a safe, respectful and professional culture at the Bar”.
Her core responsibilities include highlighting and promoting good practice, and serving as a trusted source of confidential advice and support for barristers, chambers, inns, circuits and others.
The commissioner will manage bullying, harassment and sexual harassment reports about barristers subject to an agreed protocol with the Bar Standards Board, and liaise with the judiciary and Judicial Conduct Investigations Office “to promote and ensure a safe, respectful and professional relationship between members of the Bar and the judiciary through agreed structures and support”.
Dame Maria will also help oversee the Bar Council’s implementation of the Harman review other 35 recommendations.
While operationally independent, the Bar Council said she occupied the same level of seniority as its office holders.
Bar Council chair Kirsty Brimelow KC said: “Dame Maria will provide authoritative guidance and be a trusted point of contact for all those working in and around the Bar.
“There is no place for bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar and with Dame Maria overseeing this work, I am determined that we can stamp out these behaviours.”
Baroness Harman added: “I have full confidence that Dame Maria will lead the reform needed, having been a driving force in tackling the same issues in the House of Commons.
“This role is key to leading the change necessary to prevent misconduct and protect victims and the reputation of the Bar. Improving behaviour will no longer rest on the slight shoulders of the victims of misconduct.”
Dame Maria said: “The UK legal system is recognised the world over for the highest standards of professionalism, with members of the Bar at its heart.
“By creating this new position, the Bar Council has demonstrated its fulsome commitment to maintaining that leadership position; promoting a safe, respectful and professional culture at the Bar, through its leadership on the eradication of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment.”
She is no stranger to misconduct in the legal profession, having chaired the women and equalities committee investigation that looked into the use of non-disclosure agreements in the workplace and the role of lawyers.
