Grievance Procedure

PROCEDURE TO DEAL WITH GRIEVANCES CONCERNING DISCRIMINATION, SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND BULLYING

The Western Australian Bar is committed to providing a working environment where barristers and those engaging with barristers can conduct themselves free from discrimination, sexual harassment and  bullying.

To that end, on 8 September 2020 Bar Council approved a Grievance Procedure to deal with grievances concerning discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying.  Following a review of the Grievance Procedure undertaken by the WA Bar’s Diversity Committee, Bar Council approved amendments to the Grievance Procedure on 16 July 2024.

The Grievance Procedure sets out ways of reporting behaviour or making a complaint about behaviour which constitutes discrimination, sexual harassment and bullying.

The Grievance Procedure is divided into two parts.

The first outlines a procedure for grievances raised with the WA Bar. The Grievance Procedure is also available for sets of barristers’ chambers to adopt or modify as they see fit.

The second part sets out the role of Grievance Officers. The list of Grievance Officers, which will be reviewed on behalf of Bar Council every two years, reflects members of varying seniority, background, attributes, and different sets of barristers’ chambers.

The following members of the WA Bar are Grievance Officers:

• John Hedges SC
• Julie Taylor SC
• Bettina Mangan SC
• David Bayly
• Jonathan Davies
• Elspeth Hensler
• Rachel Joseph
• Felicity Maher
• Neil Morrissey
• Helen Prince
• Steven Wong

It is to be emphasised that the Grievance Procedure is not the only way in which discrimination, sexual harassment or bullying may be dealt with. It is important that a person who witnesses or experiences discrimination, sexual harassment or bullying is not discouraged from raising the issue. Any concerns may always be discussed, confidentially, with the President or another senior member of the WA Bar.