The Law Society of England and Wales, the Bar Council of England and Wales and the Chartered Institute of Legal Executives (CILEx) have joined together to launch a Women in Law Pledge at the Law Society’s international symposium on gender equality.

Law firms, local law societies, barristers’ chambers and organisations outside the legal sector will be invited to sign their name to the pledge, which is supported by the justice secretary David Gauke, and aims to build a more equal profession for all.

Organisations who sign the pledge will commit to:

• support the progression of women into senior roles in the profession by focusing on retention and promotion opportunities
• set clear plans and targets around gender equality and diversity for their organisation
• publish their action plan and publicly report on their progress towards achieving their goals

Christina Blacklaws, president of the Law Society, said

“As a profession which strives to uphold justice, the legal profession must be at the forefront of the fight for gender equality and diversity in the workplace.

 

“In signing the Women in Law Pledge, legal organisations across the country will hold themselves accountable for gender equality in their workforce and commit to creating a more diverse profession.”

and CILEx president Philip Sherwood commented

“Whilst record numbers of women are entering the legal profession, there are still too few making it into senior positions. 75% of CILEx members are women and representing their interests and removing barriers to progression is one of our key aims.

 

“We would like to encourage legal organisations to play their part in improving the diversity of our profession at all levels by signing the Women in Law Pledge and committing to make the changes needed to support and promote gender equality.”

Further details of the Women in Law Pledge can be found on the Law Society’s website at www.lawsociety.org.uk/policy-campaigns/articles/the-women-in-law-pledge/