Law firms and Chambers pushed to reveal diversity data

Published on 7 Jan 2011 under category: article

The Legal Services Board (LSB) has unveiled plans which will see Law firms and Chambers publish data regarding the diversity of their legal staff, under new regulation expected to be implemented in late 2011.

The move comes as an attempt by the LSB to promote transparency in the legal system and encourage firms to diversify, in order to maintain their competitive edge ‘based on a culture and ethos that values diversity’. According to the LSB, ‘the picture at the more senior levels is still one of white male dominance’.

Firms will be expected to publish a range of statistics, including: the age; sex; race; religion or belief; socio-economic background and sexual orientation of its employees, compromising all solicitors and barristers, paralegals, legal secretaries and support staff.

The LSB confirmed that if a positive change does not occur as a result of the regulation it would consider further arguments and evidence for the use of voluntary targets by chambers and firms.

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