BSB SCRAP DIVERSITY PROPOSALS

The BSB has dropped its proposal to place a positive duty on barristers to promote Equality and Diversity, see HERE.

This duty would have been similar to one of the requirements for becoming a KC, namely demonstrating a commitment to Equality and Diversity. 

There were objections to the proposals, including from the writer, when feedback was sought.

The BSB regarded the proposals as impractical.  The writer regarded them as oppressive as they appeared to mandate a particular political and ideological view. 

It is to be hoped that the withdrawal of these proposals will be met with a less oppressive approach towards the expression of political opinions by members of the Bar.

Further, the withdrawal of these proposals could be viewed as part of a more general trend to roll back ‘Woke’, ‘Cultural Marxism’, ‘Political Correctness’ or whatever one wishes to call it.