About us
Our vision
'The Law Society is committed to playing a leading role in the elimination of discrimination and the promotion of equality of opportunity and diversity in all its activities as a regulator, a representative body and an employer.'
We want the profession to be:
- Inclusive – its composition reflecting the diversity of our society.
- Responsive – able to provide a sensitive, appropriate and highly professional service to all sections of society.
- Good employers – recruiting on merit, and offering training and opportunities to all staff regardless of background.
Our work for the profession
Gender Equality Scheme
The Society launched an initial scheme in April 2007. It sets out the action the Law Society group is taking on gender equality, and will form part of the Single Equality Scheme, currently being developed.
Gender Equality Scheme (PDF, 112kb)
Equality and Diversity Framework for Action
This sets our goals and how we'll monitor progress.
Equality and Diversity Framework for Action (PDF 145K)
Rule 6: Equality and diversity
This rule governs solicitors' practice. It forbids discrimination in recruitment and employment practices or in the provision of services to clients, on grounds of race, sex, disability, religion or sexual orientation.
Rule 6
Diversity Access Scheme
This aims to widen access to the profession.
Diversity Access Scheme
Best practice guidance
We regularly issue items of best practice guidance. For example:
The Disability Discrimination Act 1995 – An essential guide for solicitors (PDF 222K)
Delivering Equality and Diversity – A handbook for solicitors (PDF 404K).
Research
We commission research on the equality and diversity of the profession:
The
Impact of Regulatory Decisions of the Investigations and Enforcement
Unit on Black and Minority Ethnic Solicitors (BMEs) (PDF, 223kb)
Career experiences of gay and lesbian solicitors
Disability Equality Scheme
Our Disability Equality Scheme (PDF, 200kb) describes the actions we will take to meet our obligations under the Disability Discrimination Act 2005.
Other work promoting the profession's interests
We seek to ensure that we take into account the needs and promote the interests of the different groups in the profession. We provide practical advice and support to solicitors from minority groups – for example, through the Practice Advice Service and by supporting representative groups such as the Association of Women Solicitors, the Black Solicitors Network and the Group for Solicitors with Disabilities. We work closely with a range of practitioner associations and other networks within the profession. We help the profession reach out to new client groups.
Access to justice
The Society uses its authoritative voice on law reform and legal services policy to promote equality and diversity in the law and the civil and criminal justice systems. We campaign for access to justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged groups and individuals. We aim in all our work on law reform and legal services policy to promote equality, diversity and social cohesion.
The Society as an employer
As an employer, we aim to develop a workforce that is representative of the society we serve. We seek to treat all employees and job applicants equally and fairly without regard to age, disability, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation trade union membership, caring responsibilities or any other factors not relevant to their ability to do the job.
We aim to attract the best employees, drawn from the widest possible labour market, to ensure a workforce that is representative of the society we serve. We will take positive action, where permitted by legislation, to address under-representation of some groups in our workforce. We aim to create a working environment which is free from discrimination, harassment and bullying and which respects the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of our employees.