Female barristers are rebelling against what they believe is a crackdown on lawyers with “unfashionable views” amid growing tensions over transgender issues.
The Legal Feminist, a forum to discuss feminist issues in the legal system, is preparing to fight back against proposals from the industry regulator which could see barristers punished if they fail to act in a way which “advances equality, diversity, and inclusion”.
Barrister Naomi Cunningham, who specialises in discrimination, said she fears the vagueness of a new proposal from the Bar Standards Board (BSB) paves the way for “arbitrary enforcement” meaning barristers with “unpopular or unfashionable views” get excluded.
The BSB, which regulates the profession, is consulting on the plans which if enforced could leave barristers who breach the rules facing penalties such as fines, suspensions or a ban.
Start of a much longer article at https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/09/14/female-barristers-rebel-crackdown-views-trans-tensions/
Can only also be read at https://archive.is/WrWWa
(I dont think this is new as an issue, but maybe the consultation process is new - but still worth highlighting that even in groups made up of those paid to uphold the law, social pressure is being put before upholding women's rights.)