Legal services regulators vow to improve inclusion

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The Legal Services Board (LSB) reaffirmed its commitment to build a more inclusive workplace for lawyers alongside eight legal services regulators and two disciplinary tribunals.

In the statement set out on the LSB website, the legal regulators acknowledge that although some progress has been made in terms of diversity and inclusion, much more work is needed. In particular, they note that it is still more difficult to progress in your legal career if you are a lawyer from an ethnic minority background, or if you are disabled, LGBTQ+ or from a lower socio-economic background.

In order to become more inclusive, regulatory bodies such as the LSB, the Bar Standards Board and CILEx Regulation will make separate but complementary commitments and embrace principles to help create safe workplaces for everyone, no matter their background.

Acknowledging the authority and influence of legal services regulators, the statement says: “We set standards of conduct and expectations of professional behaviour. And we have powers to act where conduct falls below those expectations and through our disciplinary processes. The signatories to this statement commit to using these levers to bring meaningful change to the experiences of all those in and served by the legal services sector.”

The statement also highlights misconduct as one of the main barriers to a successful legal career. The regulators have committed to tackling any conduct that goes against an inclusive culture and will ensure these kinds of exclusionary behaviours are tackled in their standards and codes, and approach to disciplinary action.

Matthew Hill, chief executive of the LSB, commented: “Everyone should feel safe at work, and we will work together to tackle and stamp out exclusionary conduct, including inappropriate banter, bullying and sexual misconduct. Developing more inclusive workplaces will not only help deliver more professional services, but it will ensure people can contribute different ideas and fresh thinking that will lead to innovation across the sector.”

Law Society president I. Stephanie Boyce also commented on the statement: “We have long stated the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion in the profession and legal services.

“…There are no broad-brush solutions to these challenges, but we are working to understand the different experiences of members of our profession and how we can play our part in removing the barriers that do still exist.

“We look forward to learning more from the regulators about next steps and any action planned in light of this joint statement.”