Overview

In the US, corporations are increasingly asking law firms to show evidence of a diverse workforce before engaging them as legal providers. In the UK, such practices are less widespread. However, with the advent of the statutory guidance published by the Legal Services Board last week, similar levels of transparency may soon be required.

The LSB has been clear that the purpose of these proposals is to increase diversity and social mobility in the legal world. Forcing the publication of each law firm’s statistics will act as a powerful motivation to create a more diverse workforce. Where gaps are identified, it will be incumbent on a law firm to change the culture from top down and reassess their recruitment processes and policies. Most law firms have already created diversity task forces and appointed diversity officers to monitor and prioritise these issues. The added layer of regulatory scrutiny will expedite this process even further.

This briefing from employment law specialists CM Murray looks at current UK legislation on employment equality and asks what law firms should be doing now.