Diversity & inclusion: Capital clients demand change

Speaking this week at the association's annual dinner, Julian Acratopulo (pictured), who is also head of international commercial litigation at Clifford Chance, said he had been struck during the past 18 months by the way the legal community was ‘actively embracing D&I issues.

‘I have noticed a real change in that period: it was a key theme at London International Disputes Week back in May. Supporting D&I initiatives to effect change is clearly the right thing to do but it is also increasingly a business imperative that our clients are insisting upon. I am increasingly hearing stories of meetings being cancelled by clients on the spot because law firms are fielding teams with no thought to D&I. That is a refreshing development.’

Acratopulo also emphasised the importance of technology if the Capital’s courts are to maintain their competitive edge.

‘It is quite apparent that London continues to attract litigants from around the world,’ he said.

‘They chose to litigate here because of the quality of our judges, the quality of the lawyering and the fairness and rigour of our system. The message, however, from court users, our clients, is that we cannot rest on our laurels and we need to make sure our system is match fit for the digital age that is now upon us. London's courts are pre-eminent but failure to embrace appropriate change will leave us exposed to the competition.’