The Law Society's Equality and diversity standards and best practice guidance are designed to help the legal profession to successfully promote and implement best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion - as employers, as providers of legal services, as purchasers of goods and services and in its wider role in society. The standards and best practice guidance provide a road map for practices that:
- supports the six pledges of those law practices signed up to the Diversity and Inclusion Charter
- meets the requirements of the Solicitors Code of Conduct, principle 9
- meets wider legal obligations
- helps them to better meet client expectations
- will get them in better shape to compete for business
- enables them to strive for continuous improvement
- will enhance the reputation of the profession and firms
- and attract and retain talented professionals
Route to success
Whether a sole practitioner, or a small, medium or large practice, the standards help you understand how to get started and what good and excellent look like. It contains an assessment tool that helps you to identify priorities and areas of risk. The red level of the standards is aligned to the legislative and regulatory requirements that underpin equality and diversity. The best practice guidance that supports the Charter standards contains a wealth of information on what works and who can help.
The Equality and diversity standards and practice guidance are free tosignatories of the Law Society's Diversity and Inclusion Charter.