Equality and Diversity Training
Ensuring barristers, pupils and chambers staff understand and embody equality and diversity principles throughout chambers.
Duration
1.5 Hours
Lessons
16
CPD Hours
1
Certificate
On Completion
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
Six practical outcomes from this training
Develop increased awareness of equality and diversity, recognising how these principles apply within the specific context of the Bar and chambers
Identify different forms of discrimination including direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, victimisation, and harassment
Understand the legal and regulatory frameworks governing equality and diversity, including the Equality Act 2010, the nine protected characteristics, and BSB Handbook requirements
Recognise the consequences of discrimination, both for individuals and for teams, and understand the impact on chambers culture and reputation, including the positive steps and actions to take
Learn real-life examples from the Bar that illustrate discrimination in practice and how it affects people working in the profession
The BSB expects all members and staff to undertake Equality & Diversity training. This training meets that requirement.
About this training
Adhering to equality and diversity principles means that all at the Bar are treated with dignity and respect. This is not simply a compliance matter. It is fundamental to the profession's integrity and to ensuring that the legal services available to the public are delivered by barristers drawn from the widest possible talent pool.
This training deepens understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion within the context of the Bar and the wider workplace. The Equality Act 2010 and the BSB Handbook place clear obligations on chambers and individual barristers. This course ensures members and staff understand those obligations and the underlying principles they serve, with focus on the nine protected characteristics. It encourages participants to consider how discrimination can affect individuals, teams, and the overall culture of chambers.
The training uses real-life examples from the Bar to illustrate the practical impact of discrimination. It covers legal and regulatory obligations, different forms of discrimination, complaints handling, and the positive steps chambers can take to build inclusive practice.
Key topics
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1
The nine protected characteristics
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2
Types of discrimination: direct, indirect, victimisation, and harassment
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3
Complaints handling and internal procedures
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4
Chambers' legal and regulatory requirements
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5
Real-life examples from the Bar
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6
Practical steps to take toward inclusion
What learners say
“This training is well structured and accessible. It strikes the right balance between legal requirement and practical workplace culture. The real-life examples from chambers make the content relevant and immediate. Strongly recommended.”
Frequently asked questions
The BSB Handbook requires chambers to put arrangements in place to comply with equality law and to take steps to prevent discrimination. While there is no absolute mandate for every individual barrister to complete a specific course, the expectation is that chambers ensure all members understand their obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and the BSB's own requirements on equality and diversity. In practice, it is expected all barrister members and staff undertake Bar specific E&D training every three years.
The Equality Act 2010 protects people from discrimination based on nine characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. Discrimination on any of these grounds is unlawful. Chambers must ensure all members understand what each characteristic covers and how discrimination can arise in practice. This training teaches you to spot and prevent breaches.
Yes. The BSB Handbook requires every chambers to appoint an Equality and Diversity Officer. This person oversees equality matters, ensures compliance with law, handles complaints related to discrimination, and leads inclusion initiatives. The role can only be held by one or more barristers of chambers. In practice, EDO(s) will be supported by a committee. Briefed offers barrister-led advisory support for officers managing live equality issues.
Discriminatory comments can constitute harassment, which is illegal under the Equality Act 2010 and a breach of the BSB Handbook. Chambers must have a clear complaints procedure, investigate thoroughly, and take action proportionate to the breach. This might include counselling, apology, retraining, or disciplinary measures depending on severity. Chambers must also protect the person who made the complaint from victimisation. This training covers how to handle discrimination complaints appropriately.
Direct discrimination means treating someone less favourably because of a protected characteristic. For example, refusing to allocate work to a woman because of her sex. Indirect discrimination occurs when a policy or practice appears neutral but has a disadvantageous effect on people with a protected characteristic. For example, a rule requiring all staff to work full-time may indirectly discriminate against parents. Both are unlawful unless justified. This training covers both types and how they manifest in chambers practice.
Related training
Related services
Briefed offers advisory, audit, and policy services alongside training. If your chambers needs support beyond eLearning, we can help.