This section contains frequently asked questions about the Diversity and Inclusion Charter and Protocols. For further information please email the project team at inclusioncharter@lawsociety.org.uk
What is the Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter?
The Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter is a public commitment by its signatories to develop and implement best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion - as employers, as providers of legal services, as purchasers of goods and services and in their wider roles in society.
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Who can be a signatory of the Charter?
All providers of legal services regardless of practice size are invited to be signatories of the Charter by committing to its principles. As an employer, purchaser of goods and legal services and owner of the initiative, the Law Society is also a signatory of the Charter and a protocol partner.
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What is the Procurement Protocol?
The Protocol on Legal Procurement is a commitment by purchasers of legal services to take into account the equality, diversity and inclusion work of providers of those services when awarding contracts. It is the first protocol under the Law Society's Diversity and Inclusion Charter and is accompanied by practical tools to support implementation including a model questionnaire and procurement checklist.
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Why was the Charter established?
The initiative was originally conceived by the Society of Asian Lawyers and BT who recognised the opportunity for purchasers of legal services to drive continuous improvement on diversity and inclusion of the profession through the procurement process. The Law Society was approached to lead the project and saw the benefit of bringing together purchasers and providers through a joint commitment which would also provide a platform for ongoing dialogue and collaborative action.
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How has the Charter been developed?
The Charter and Procurement Protocol are the products of detailed consultation with a range of key stakeholders including: HR and diversity practitioners; practising solicitors; business development and procurement managers; general counsel; special interest and representative diversity groups.
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How are the Charter and Procurement Protocol different from other diversity indexes and initiatives?
The Law Society Diversity Charter and Procurement Protocol is a high profile, national initiative which covers all aspects of diversity (ethnicity; gender; disability; age; religion or belief; sexual orientation) and have been exclusively developed for use by purchasers and providers of legal services. The unique structure of the joint commitment provides a mechanism for genuine dialogue between clients and suppliers and the opportunity to deliver real change by examining issues from both perspectives and developing practical tools and solutions.
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What are the benefits of collaboration on diversity and inclusion?
A diverse and inclusive legal profession benefits everyone with opportunities to develop and recruit the best talent and better understand and meet the needs of its clients. Collaborative action provides opportunities to identify, address and resolve common problems, develop and disseminate best practice and improve individual and collective performance and benchmarking.
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Why does the Charter only cover UK operations?
While many large providers of legal services have global operations, cultural and legal differences across the world mean that the collection and management of diversity information cannot always be uniform across all countries and offices. Nonetheless, the Charter is intended to highlight the good practice to be adopted by signatories as widely as possible and appropriate within their businesses.
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How will the Charter develop?
The Charter is intended to be a developing initiative which can be responsive to issues affecting the providers and purchasers of legal services. Issues which have already been identified as opportunities for future development are the adaptation of the Procurement Protocol for use by law firms in managing their own supply chains and the collection and monitoring of diversity data on social background to support social mobility.
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How can we sign up to the Charter or Procurement Protocol?
In line with best practice of ensuring that responsibility for Equality and Diversity lies with senior management, Charter signatories and Protocol partners are asked to formally confirm their commitment by email from a senior representative of the organisation at Partner, General Counsel or Director level to inclusioncharter@lawsociety.org.uk
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