Equality and diversity guides Supporting our members as employers and service providers
We are committed to helping the solicitor profession discharge its duties under the equality and diversity legislation. To do this we have published a range of guides which aim to support organisations, large and small, in improving their performance around equality and diversity:
- Ensuring fairness, creating opportunity: a practical guide to equality and diversity for Scottish solicitors
- Ensuring fairness, creating more accessible services
- Ensuring fairness, closing the pay gap
- Guide to preventing bullying and harassment
- Menopause support resource
These guides are based on research we have done with solicitors and equality bodies over the last ten years.
We have ten simple Equality Standards, that law firms and in-house legal teams can sign up to. We believe these will help firms improve their performance in equality, as a business and employer, and provide a better service to clients. These standards are also applicable to legal teams within organisations, and we are encouraging as many firms and organisations as possible to adopt these standards.
We also publish advice and information for parents in the profession, which also includes information on best practice for managing maternity and paternity leave.
Solicitors should be aware equality is part of their core professional and regulatory standards under Rule B1.15 of the Standards of Conduct.
For more information, please contact diversity@lawscot.org.uk.
Embracing neurodiversity: retention and career progression
A guide for legal services employers on how they can best support the retention and promotion of neurodivergent employees, created by the Legal Neurodiversity Network.
Improving disability inclusion in the legal profession
A guide to assist firms and organisations to develop their disability inclusion.
Parents in the profession
Guides for solicitors and others working in legal services who are about to embark on or return from a period of maternity, shared parental or adoption leave and their line managers.
Menopause support resource
Our comprehensive menopause support guide, produced in partnership with Peppy, is designed to help individuals and firms access the support they need, with information, advice and further resources to explore.
Preventing bullying and harassment
Practical and relevant advice and sources of support for individual and employers to help prevent bullying and harassment occurring and deal effectively with any instances which do occur.
Flexible working
Covering flexible and agile working, this guide provides hints, tips and information to help with introducing new work practices.
The equality standards
10 equality standards providing a framework for success for our members in developing equality and inclusion within their organisations
Additional
Equality and diversity research
Take a look at our key research, which examines the whole legal sector, as well as specific groups and issues.