Allison Bailey isn’t impressed…
“I will be submitting a written response to this consultation; however, my immediate reaction to the announcement by my regulator, the Bar Standards Board, that it proposes to amend the Core Duty of all barristers by requiring them to 'promote equality, diversity and inclusion when practising or otherwise providing legal services' is that it’s a terrible idea.
EDI has become synonymous with trans activism, the removal of single-sex protections and rights in the workplace and elsewhere, and the unlawful discrimination and victimisation of women.
This has been to the detriment of tackling other forms of discrimination and inequality in areas such as disability, age, sex, race, and sexual orientation discrimination, including by those within the so called LGBTQ+ 'community'.
But it isn't for barristers to promote anything beyond the rule of law and the best interests of their clients within the law.
I think the existing core duties are enough in this regard. They require barristers not to discriminate unlawfully and to act with honesty and integrity. Turning this into a requirement to promote EDI is fraught with danger. This smacks of regulatory overreach.
Written responses to this consultation must be received by 5 pm on 29 November 2024.”