Bar Standards Board: Male and ethnic minority barristers face more complaints

The Bar Standards Board (BSB) studied complaint patterns between 2012 and 2014, finding that female barristers were significantly less likely to face complaints about them made to a disciplinary tribunal compared to males.

Its findings will bolster arguments from non-white barristers who say the regulatory bodies for barristers disproportionately target them for disciplinary action.

The board is now to insist that assessment reports are anonymised to remove indication of a barrister’s gender “unless it is directly relevant to the issues of complaint”.

Commenting on the report, BSB director of professional conduct Sara Jagger said: “This report illustrates our commitment to transparency in our complaints-handling process. It is essential the BSB keeps monitoring these issues to ensure our processes are fair and free from bias.

“It is pleasing that the report indicates there is no significant difference in complaints-handling between BME and white barristers, however it is an area we will continue to monitor.

“We do, however, need to look more carefully at the new findings in relation to the potential issue of gender bias and ensure that we take action to address this.

“Nevertheless, the report shows the public and the profession that they can have confidence in the fairness of our complaints-handling process.”