Morning, Monday, 10th February 2025
Online
The conference focuses on next steps for diversity, equality and inclusion (EDI) in the legal profession.
Discussion will bring out latest thinking on the way forward for improving representation of those with protected characteristics, assessing the current shape of diversity in the legal profession and what can be learned for the future from notable initiatives, best practice and drawing on key lessons from those with lived experience. Stakeholders and policymakers will discuss retention and progression to increase the visible diversity in senior legal roles, looking at effective, evidence-based EDI practices to foster genuine inclusion.
It will be an opportunity to discuss the direction of government policy, including measures in the draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill and the Employment Rights Bill and potential implications in the legal profession, including challenges and practicalities of the extension of pay gap reporting.
The conference also takes place in the context of the publication of the new Judicial Appointments Commission: Strategy 2024 to 2027, alongside the Bar Standards Board consulting on revised proposals to promote EDI at the bar, including the potential introduction of a diversity and inclusion duty for barristers, with concerns that proposals are impractical.
Further discussion is expected on the role of the legal regulators and priorities for regulatory change in enabling a more diverse profession that retains and attracts talent from a variety of backgrounds. Approaches to widening participation in legal education will be considered, looking at student wellbeing and the way forward for reducing drop-out rates. Areas for discussion also include next steps for the Solicitor Qualifying Exam (SQE) and exploring alternative professional entry routes, as well as priorities for ensuring diversity within the judiciary.
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Mark Neale, Director General, Bar Standards Board; Craig Westwood, Chief Executive, Legal Services Board; Aileen Armstrong, Executive Director, Strategy, Innovation and External Affairs, Solicitors Regulation Authority; and Naeema Choudry, Partner, Eversheds Sutherland. We are in contact with further senior speakers.
Overall, areas for discussion include:
- policy: assessing the Government’s Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill - stakeholder views on reporting mechanisms
- regulation: the role of regulatory bodies in promoting diversity and sector accountability - BSB’s new diversity and inclusion duty - standards and expectations - effectively measuring progress
- implementing EDI policies:
- evidence-based inclusion strategies - collaboration in policy creation - improving workplace culture - the role of leadership in tackling issues - resource allocation in EDI
- reporting and measuring EDI progress - emerging trends in pay gap reporting and tackling pay disparities - strengthening protections against workplace harassment and discrimination
- harnessing the benefits of diversity to improve consumer experiences
- legal education:
- the SQE and its effect on incoming lawyers so far - the future role of legal apprenticeships - collaboration with employers to increase training opportunities
- measuring the impact of legal education diversity initiatives - wellbeing in legal education and reducing drop-out rates - improving outcomes for people from marginalised backgrounds - role of reasonable adjustments
- recruitment and retention within underrepresented communities:
- developing diverse talent pipelines - addressing bias - improving access to CPD and training - embedding mentorship and sponsorship opportunities - flexible working in firms
- effective leadership and role models - mental health and supporting staff wellbeing - increasing progression opportunities - responsible business practices
- improving judicial diversity: assessing the Judicial Appointments Commission Strategy - key priorities for encouraging diversity in pathways to the judiciary
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Lords and officials from CPS; Defra; GLD; MOJ; Ofcom; the Welsh Government; and The Scottish Government.
