In November, the LSB published a draft EDI policy statement, ‘Encouraging a diverse legal profession’, which advocates for more effective diversity data monitoring—doing so on a regular basis, and incorporating qualitative research such as interviews, focus groups and lived experience testimony.
Responding to the consultation on the draft statement, which closed this week, the Law Society expressed concern about the impact on small firms.
Law Society president Mark Evans said: ‘Black, Asian and minority ethnic solicitors are disproportionately represented in one partner and small firms.
‘Structural pressures and operational strains make them more vulnerable to regulatory scrutiny. We are concerned that requiring every authorised firm to report their EDI policies could disproportionately impact these firms. A proportionate approach would be more appropriate.’
