The new diversity bar

Is the Bar Standards Council really fit to enforce a proposed raft of new equality rules?

IN SEPTEMBER, THE BAR Standards Board, which regulates barristers in England and Wales, quietly announced a consultation on amending the core duties it requires all barristers to perform. Currently, Core Duty 8 only requires barristers to not “discriminate unlawfully against any person”, a redundant but perfectly sensible rule. The BSB seeks to replace it with a requirement for its regulatees to “act in a way that advances equality, diversity and inclusion”. In addition, all chambers and solo practitioners will be required to promulgate an equality, diversity and inclusion policy and to meet mandatory EDI outcomes. Barristers who run foul of the new rule will face disciplinary action. The predictable outcry aside, few seriously think the duty will not be amended. As anyone who has been involved in these things knows,…

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The Critic (Digital) - 1 Issue, October 2024

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