Complaints to the bar standards watchdog about conduct at the bar have soared, the Bar Standards Board has revealed - with complaints about social media conduct more than doubling.

Acccording to the BSB's 2025/26 report, published last week, the BSB received a total of 3,439 reports in 2025/26, up from 2,614 the previous year. 

The regulator assessed 279 cases about social media conduct compared with 132 in 2024/25. Of those 279, 192 related to the Gaza conflict and 43 concerned gender rights.

Social media guidance published in September 2023 lists examples of social media conduct that could amount to a breach of the BSB Handbook, such as offensive or discriminatory comments that target a group of people, sharing offensive or discriminatory content posted by others and gratuitous attacks on the justice system.

Complaints about barristers’ conduct during proceedings also soared - with the BSB assessing 1,047 cases in 2025/26 compared to 651 in 2024/25.

The BSB assessed 2,464 reports and carried out 114 investigations - 49% were closed after investigation and 51% were referred for disciplinary action.

For those closed after investigation, 27 were dismissed, 16 were withdrawn and 13 led to administrative sanctions. The tribunal heard 28 cases - 23 were found proved and resulted in nine disbarments, five suspensions, seven fines and four reprimands.

BSB director general Phil Golding said a surge in reports had affected efficiency and timeliness. 'We are committed to improving the service we provide by focusing on delivering across all our frontline services to meet our targets and reduce our backlogs. I recognise that we need to do so within a well-managed budget, so we are working hard to improve and modernise our processes,' Golding added.