The new report, Uncivil behaviours in the Legal Profession: Findings from the 2025 Victorian Legal Census, explores the extent to which Victorian lawyers experience and witness uncivil behaviours during their work. It explores the type, source and location of uncivil behaviours, both experienced and witnessed, and considers next steps for addressing the problem. 

The report outlines the importance of civility as a practice that ‘promotes cooperation and professionalism among legal practitioners’. 

The report defines workplace incivility to be behaviours that are contrary to workplace norms but not as extreme as bullying or harassment, for example, rude and discourteous behaviour, ostracism and professional discrediting.   

The key takeaway is that uncivil behaviours do not occur in isolation and cluster with other indicators of negative workplace culture, including inadequate compensation, excessive workload, conflicts with values or professional obligations, and sexual harassment.  

These findings are of serious concern to the VLSB+C. In 2026 we will be considering actions to support the profession to encourage civility and mitigate the impacts of inappropriate behaviour, in legal workplaces.  

Resources that may help 

Legal employers have a legal obligation to prevent and respond to poor behaviour that presents a risk to employee safety.    

We particularly encourage employers to review the comprehensive guidance published by WorkSafe for all employers on psychosocial hazards and employers’ legal duties to manage these risks.  

Other agencies including Safe Work Australia, VEOHRC and the Fair Work Commission also have resources that can help principals identify and appropriately control psychological and physical risks to employees.   

Employers can also proactively build positive cultures to try to reduce inappropriate behaviour in legal workplaces. The Wellbeing Guidelines for Legal Workplaces are a practical, evidence-based tool to support principals, leaders and managers to safeguard the wellbeing of lawyers and legal support staff.  

Anyone who experiences or observes bullying (or harassment or discrimination) by a lawyer can report it to us. 

Bullying, discrimination or harassment involving barristers can also be reported by barristers, or by persons who engage with barristers – for example, administration, personal assistants, secretaries and clerking staff – to the Victorian Bar via their Complaint and Report Form.    

Complaints about judicial bullying and discrimination can be made through the Judicial Commission of Victoria’s online portal. Complaints may also be submitted to the Judicial Commission of Victoria by the Law Institute of Victoria or Victorian Bar on behalf of one of their members, without requiring the practitioner’s identity to be disclosed. 

Protocols between the Law Institute of Victoria and the Victorian Bar also allow lawyers to raise inappropriate judicial conduct with their professional association, which then raises the concern with the court. 

Read the full report and the summary of findings.