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21 January 2026
Issue: 8146 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Harassment
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Anti-bullying tsar appointed following Harman recommendations

The Bar Council has appointed former Culture Secretary Dame Maria Miller as its inaugural Commissioner for Conduct, tasked with responsibility for eradicating bullying, harassment and sexual harassment from the Bar

Creating the post was one of Baroness Harriet Harman KC’s 36 recommendations when she produced her independent review on bullying last year.

Dame Maria, who starts in post this month, said she was ‘honoured’ to accept the role, in which she will triage and handle bullying and harassment reports, develop best practice policies and training, liaise with the judiciary and provide confidential support.

Issue: 8146 / Categories: Legal News , Profession , Harassment
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MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

NLJ Career Profile: Stephen Ward, The Barrister Group

From mowing lawns to life at the Bar: Stephen Ward reflects on an unconventional career

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Clarke Willmott—Ben Loosemore

Commercial property partner joins Clarke Willmott in Southampton

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Ellisons—Robert Tiffen

Robert Tiffen joins Ellisons as Partner in growing Norwich office

NEWS
The Law Society RFC Festival of Sport returns next month, bringing together legal and financial services professionals for one of the sector’s largest annual sporting events
Legal aid deserts leave almost one in four without adequate access to justice
The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has warned solicitors and law firms that using artificial intelligence does not alter their professional obligations, amid concerns over inaccurate legal material and client confidentiality
From forgotten interest claims to case-management appeals, a string of procedural developments offers useful—and occasionally cautionary—lessons for practitioners

Jonathan Fisher KC highlights that it now accounts for around 40% of criminal offences, with roughly 70% involving technology, and argues that the UK cannot simply prosecute its way out of the problem. Detection, investigation and prosecution all require improvement, while different fraud types demand tailored responses.

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