BSB revises guidance on bullying, harassment and regulatory duties for chambers.
The Bar Standards Board (BSB) has updated its Equality Rules guidance for chambers and BSB entities, clarifying regulatory expectations on bullying and harassment and expanding information on the professional standards that may apply to such behaviour.
Published on 16 October 2026, the revised guidance forms part of the BSB’s response to Baroness Harman’s Independent Review of Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment at the Bar.
The updates bring the supporting information into line with recent changes to the BSB Handbook guidance on reporting serious misconduct. They are intended to help chambers and BSB entities understand the relevant equality requirements and their responsibilities in addressing bullying and harassment.
Guidance expands on bullying and professional standards
One of the principal changes is the expansion of Section 9 to include information about bullying and how such behaviour may breach the standards expected of barristers.
The revised guidance also provides further information about the legal framework relating to harassment. This gives chambers and regulated entities additional material on the legal and regulatory requirements relevant to these issues.
A further change clarifies the BSB’s regulatory expectations for chambers and BSB entities in relation to bullying and harassment. The guidance also identifies the Core Duties relevant to these matters in Section 5 of the supporting information.
Updated guidance follows independent review
The changes follow Baroness Harman’s independent review of bullying, harassment and sexual harassment at the Bar. The BSB has identified the updated supporting information as part of its response to that review.
The regulator has also aligned the material with recent changes to its Handbook guidance on reporting serious misconduct, linking the revised information to the existing regulatory framework.
What chambers and BSB entities need to know
The updated guidance provides chambers and BSB entities with clarified information on the standards and expectations relevant to bullying and harassment.
The announcement focuses on changes to the supporting guidance. It does not announce a separate compliance deadline or a new enforcement measure as part of this update.
Chambers and BSB entities can consult the revised Equality Rules supporting information published by the Bar Standards Board for further details of the changes.