What is the Equality and Diversity Section?
The Law Society's Equality and Diversity Section is the only equality and diversity network specifically for legal practices in England and Wales.
It is an essential support for practices that recognise the business imperative to become diverse and accessible, and for practices wanting to build and improve on their existing equality and diversity framework.
Even practices with equality and diversity policies in place have room for improvement. The latest Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter annual report showed that many practices are lagging behind best practice in many areas, such as web accessibility, supplier diversity and equal pay.
The support you will get from the Equality and Diversity Section will help you to keep up to date on best practice and latest industry news. The service includes:
- specialist training and guidance on key equality and diversity issues for legal practices
- insight into current industry best practice from leading specialists
- support to comply with equality and diversity legislative and regulatory requirements
- the chance to meet and network with your peers, and find out how other practices are creating a more diverse workplace
- for the Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter signatories*, the means to move beyond compliance (red level) and towards best practice (green level) in the annual self assessment
Who can join?
The Equality and Diversity Section is for all solicitors, and other professionals working within SRA regulated practices. Members can include:
- solicitors
- risk and compliance officers
- HR professionals
- equality and diversity professionals
Membership benefits
Membership of the Law Society's Equality and Diversity Section gives you the following benefits (normal annual membership is £150 + VAT per person and runs from 1 January to 31 December):
- four free CPD webinars covering, in 2013, age diversity, equal pay and unconscious bias
- access to all 2012 Equality and Diversity Section webinars via the CPD Centre including:
- discounts on e-learning packages on a range of equality and diversity issues. More details about the training will be available in early 2013.
As the Section develops we aim to introduce more benefits, including:
- an online community just for Equality and Diversity Section members. Features to include online networking, ask the expert forums and a member directory
- exclusive cost-effective e-learning packages for all levels of staff in your practice on a range of equality and diversity issues
How do I join?
Simply complete and return the membership form (PDF 88kb).
For enquiries please email equalitysection@lawsociety.org.uk.
Diversity and Inclusion Charter
The Law Society Diversity and Inclusion Charter is the flagship diversity initiative of the legal profession. It is an instantly recognisable public statement of commitment by its signatories and a framework for positive action across all strands of diversity. The Charter is in its third year and has over 250 signatories representing over a third of all solicitors in private practice.
Find out more and sign up for free
Charter signatories save 25 per cent on the Equality and Diversity Section membership fee!
Download the membership form (PDF 107kb)
Other Law Society services
All of the above section benefits are in addition to the range of quality services that you can already access as a member of the Law Society, including:
For enquiries please email equalitysection@lawsociety.org.uk.