Disabling Barriers Scotland celebrates milestone year and announces partnership with six founding firms

Following a momentous 2024, Disabling Barriers Scotland (DBS) has announced partnerships with six new legal partners: Addleshaw Goddard, Brodies, Thorntons Solicitors, McGovern Reid Court Lawyers, Scullion Law and Shepherd and Wedderburn.

DBS will be hosting a series of Insight Events to discuss Disability Inclusion in the Scottish Legal Profession in partnership with our six Founding Members. The events are open to all, including aspiring legal professionals, and we would welcome your participation.

Advancing Inclusion for Legal Professionals with a Disability

In Scotland, approximately 50,860 students across various fields of study have a known disability. (HESA, Who's Studying in HE 2022/23) Over the past five academic years, the number of UK students with a declared disability has risen to 46%, now accounting for almost one in five home students. (Disabled Students UK - Going Back Is Not a Choice)

However, within the legal profession, the disparity is stark. Only 5% of 3,100 legal professionals surveyed by the Law Society of Scotland identify as having a disability, compared to an average of 14% within the wider UK Professional Workforce. Law Society, Profile of the Profession, Trades Union Congress There are also concerns in relation to a growing pay gap for in the UK Professional Workforce, the difference between disabled and non-disabled employees currently being 22.7 per cent, or £3.98 per hour.

Recognising the critical need for greater representation and inclusion, Disabling Barriers Scotland (DBS) stands as the only dedicated community in Scotland supporting aspiring and practising disabled legal professionals. Providing vital advocacy, education, and engagement, DBS was awarded Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion at the 2024 Scottish Law Awards for ‘tackling a much needed area of inclusion in the Scottish Legal Profession’.

The organisation has also forged strong relationships with its six founding members: Addleshaw Goddard, Brodies, McGovern Reid Court Lawyers, Scullion Law, Shepherd and Wedderburn and Thorntons Solicitors. Representatives from these organisations have been integral in shaping the charity's initiatives and have kindly committed to participating in quarterly strategy meetings led by Trustee Alan Sinclair for the purpose of advancing the partnerships, discussing learnings and striving towards shared objectives.

Written by Fraser Mackay, Founder of Disabling Barriers Scotland