Respondents identified this as the most significant factor causing ethical challenges. The second biggest challenge, cited by 31% of barristers, was maintaining independence, followed by pressure from others to act in a way which might be unethical (20%) and the requirement to report serious misconduct (16%).
Barristers showed high levels of ethical awareness, with more than eight out of ten reporting they believed they had a ‘very good understanding’ of the profession’s code of conduct and ethical obligations. One in three had undertaken training or continuing professional development on ethics in the past year, and a similar proportion had done so within the past five years.
When seeking support for ethical issues, nearly eight in ten said they would turn to their colleagues first and senior colleagues or managers second. After this, they would consult the Bar Standards Board (BSB) website, Bar Council ethical enquiries service or Bar Council ethics and practice hub website.
In 2024–25, the ethical enquiries service fielded nearly 4,000 calls and more than 500 written queries.
However, some respondents reported a lack of ethical guidance for employed barristers—one barrister commented: ‘Very few ethical resources are available for the employed Bar and almost no practical guidance whatsoever.
‘I feel that the BSB has been extraordinarily deficient in this regard.’
Only a small number of barristers believed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and strategic lawsuits against public participation (SLAPPs) represent key ethical challenges.
Kirsty Brimelow, Bar chair, said: ‘We have found no evidence to indicate the need to make substantial changes to the ethical regulation of the Bar, but we do want to see the BSB Handbook updated to make it clearer and easier to use.’
